Okammelu Family Petitions IGP for Fresh Probe into Disappearance of Brother’s Corpse

The Okammelu family has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), seeking a supplementary investigation into the disappearance of the remains of their late brother.

The request was made in a letter dated July 6, 2026, written by their counsel, Joseph Ofor, Esq., on behalf of Chief Osita Okammelu, the complainant in the case. Okammelu had previously petitioned the IGP over the disappearance of his brother’s corpse.

Following the initial petition, the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) was assigned to investigate the matter. The team subsequently released an investigation report, but the family has raised concerns about its findings and recommendations.

In the latest letter, Ofor argued that the report contained material omissions, inconsistencies and investigative gaps that could affect the completeness, fairness and credibility of the investigation.

According to the family’s counsel, the report allegedly acknowledged the possibility of a criminal conspiracy and systemic failures but recommended the prosecution of only one person. The family also questioned why prosecution was recommended while significant aspects of the investigation reportedly remained unresolved.

The letter further raised concerns about alleged administrative and operational negligence, arguing that the report did not adequately examine the potential criminal responsibility of everyone who may have been involved. It also questioned whether financial records, call data records and other documentary evidence had been comprehensively analysed.

Another major concern highlighted by the family involves the chain of custody of the deceased’s remains, the roles of other listed suspects, institutional responsibility, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged unlawful release and disappearance of the corpse.

The family said it had prepared a detailed analysis of the identified gaps and urged the IGP to order a supplementary investigation. It argued that a more comprehensive probe would help establish the facts, strengthen public confidence in the investigative process and ensure that anyone found criminally responsible is held accountable.

The allegations and concerns raised in the letter have not, in the supplied report, been independently established. The family’s request seeks further investigation into issues it believes remain unresolved.