Family petitions IGP over engineer’s missing corpse in Anambra hospital

The family of Chukwunweike Okammelu, an engineer whose corpse is missing from a hospital mortuary in Anambra State, has filed a petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for further investigation. The family's lawyer, Joseph Offor, has written to the IGP, along with a copy to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.

The family had initially reported the disappearance of the corpse to the police and voiced their dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation by the hospital management. Offor stated that the matter was referred to the IGP, who subsequently assigned the Intelligence Response Team to investigate the incident. Despite the investigation being concluded and a report being issued, Offor claims that the report contains omissions, inconsistencies, and gaps that weaken its completeness and credibility.

According to Offor, the report only blamed the mortician, Mr. Clement Ogbonna, for the disappearance, while other suspects and institutional responsibilities remain unaddressed. Offor urges the IGP to order a supplementary investigation, focusing on the issues highlighted in his detailed memorandum. However, the Anambra State Police Command has stated that the case is not under their jurisdiction, as it is currently being handled by the investigating team in Abuja.

The hospital's Chief Medical Director, Maureen Umeakuewulu, confirms that the incident occurred before her appointment and that it is under police investigation. She is unable to provide further details regarding the case's status, as it took place before her tenure.