The family of a deceased farmer, late Monday Joseph, has demanded justice over the death of their son, who allegedly died while in the custody of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps.

While seeking interventions to unravel the circumstances that led to Joseph’s death, the family called for the probe of his death to determine the cause of his death.

While describing the deceased as the breadwinner of the family, the late Joseph’s sister, Veronica, stated that his brother was arrested in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Council Area of the state, and died within 48 hours.

While stating that his remains had been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Veronica revealed that none of the family were allowed to see him while in custody.

He said, “My name is Joseph Veronica. I am here because I want Nigerians to help to find out the cause of my brothers’ deaths. They killed him just like that. I heard he was arrested on Sunday, March 30th. I went there, and they did allow me to see him.

“Nigerians should fight for me. He was a farmer. He had a child, and our mother is still alive. I don’t know why he was arrested. He was arrested at the residence of his girlfriend. They didn’t allow me to see him. I was told he was beaten seriously on Sunday, and on Monday he was said to have died.”

“I saw his corpse on Tuesday. The mortuary attendant said it was the Amotekun officer that brought the body. He was the breadwinner of our family. We hail from Delta State. He was born and brought up in Ondo State.”

On his part, Counsel to the family, Ibukun Fasanmi, who urged the police and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to take over the investigation into the death of Joseph, called for the prosecution of the Amotekun officers allegedly responsible for the death of the deceased.

“We humbly urge you to use your good offices to investigate this matter in view of the fact that Ondo State Security Network Agency (codenamed Amotekun Corps) is a creation of the law, and its officer cannot be above the law or breach the provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“The news of his death has filtered into town, and several aggrieved persons are threatening violence, albeit unconfirmed, as at the time of filing this petition.

“The action of Officer Lati and his men, hitherto, is criminal and unconstitutional, and if left unchecked by law enforcement agents like the police, may cascade into a serious crisis that may be uncontrollable in view of the aggrieved friends and lovers of Joseph who are on the verge of adopting self-help, which we strongly oppose.”

Commander of the Ondo Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, said Joseph was never tortured, stressing that late Joseph took ill while in custody and was rushed to the hospital where he died.

“Nobody tortured him. He was arrested for cult-related activities. He took ill while in detention. He was rushed to the hospital where he died.”