Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has set up a N10 million Education Fund to cater for the two children of a taxi driver who was allegedly pushed by a policeman into the oncoming truck for failing to pay him a N200 bribe.
The 26-year-old David Okoniba who was crushed to death by the truck on Tuesday in Benin City, Edo state capital was preparing for wedding ceremonies with his heart-throb, Ruth next week Saturday.
Obaseki who visited the bereaved family Friday in company of his cabinet members said: “I am here today to get the details of what happened. Listening to you, I am heartbroken. I can feel your pain and appreciate your pain and anger. I want to assure the family that the case will not be swept under the carpet.
It will be followed to a logical conclusion as a reputable retired Judge of Edo state High Court, Justice Olubo has been selected to head the panel of enquiry which will investigate what truly happened on the said date of the incident that led to the death and consequent fracas between the youths and the police.”
The governor also promised the family that government would support in the burial of the late David Okoniba, and advised the family to take the wife of the deceased to the hospital for medical attention at government expense, as she was still traumatised from the incident.
Meanwhile, Mr. Babatunde Kokumo, the Edo state Police Commissioner, Wednesday visited and condoled with the deceased family.
Festus Okoniba, the deceased elder brother, said, “The family is happy with the way and manner the Commissioner of Police has shown concern on this matter. He was the one who took my late brother to the mortuary and in fact he was there throughout. And he came to visit the family and assured us that they will follow the due process in dealing with the officers concerned.”
According to him, ¨My brother did not do anything, just because he refused to give N200 to the policemen. In fact, the wife even offered to give the police N1000 and wanted the policemen to take N100 and give them change but they refused.
“The police killed our brother and we are only calling for justice. How are we going to take care of his wife and two children and the unborn baby?
