A widow, Mrs Esther Osaghae, has appealed to the government and security agencies to grant her justice over the alleged murder of her husband, the late Fidelis Osaghae.

Esther appealed yesterday while speaking to reporters at a webinar organised by the non-governmental organisation, Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF).

The Guardian learnt that the deceased, a manager at Val Chi Fastfood and Bar, Auchi, Edo State, was allegedly murdered on July 28, 2024.

It was learnt that Osaghae went home from work with a motorcycle at about 2:30 a.m. on July 28 to pick up some valuables and rushed back to work that same night but never returned alive.

Narrating the incident, Esther said, “On July 28, my husband came home by 2:30 a.m., picked up something, told me not to lock the door, and returned to work.

“By 3:00 a.m., I called my husband. There was no response, so I called again. Still, I didn’t hear from him, so I let him do whatever he did at the workplace. Anytime he knew that there was a situation at the workplace like maybe his boss didn’t want him to go home, he would give me a video call.

“At about 5:00 a.m., my husband hadn’t returned, and I became worried. I called several times, but he did not pick up, so I called the supervisor, Tracy. She said everything was under control.

“I wasn’t comfortable with that. I called again, but he didn’t pick up. Then, at about 6:00 a.m., his boss, Mr Valentine Oyemike, called and said I should come to Favour Hospital in Edo State.

“I couldn’t go because I am a nursing mother. My sister went on my behalf and discovered my husband had died. The management of the fast food firm said he committed suicide by taking poisonous substances.”

Esther said further: “I don’t know who killed him, but I know he died at his workplace. I want to know what happened. How did he die? What led to it? I have questions. I need to know. I don’t know if the boss killed him, but I know that he died at his workplace.”

The Akin Fadeyi Foundation called for a thorough investigation of the death.

It requested that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, take up the matter urgently.

In a petition to the IGP, the foundation said there is a need to give marching orders for the issue to be brought to the homicide section in Abuja so that the mystery behind the death of Mr Osaghae can be unravelled.

When contacted, the owner of the fast food firm, Oyemike, said he didn’t wish to comment and that the matter is under investigation.

A spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Joel Yamu, said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

“The outcome will be made known as soon as the investigation is concluded,” he added.