MUST READ: Who killed James Ocholi?
Nigerians were stunned on Sunday, March 6, when the death of Barrister James Ocholi (SAN) was announced.
Not only was his death shocking, it was also tragic and painful, especially with the loss of wife, son and driver at a time when Nigerians were beginning to get to know him more and reap the benefits of the present administration through his ministry.
Atiku, El-Rufai, Bello, others react to James Ocholi’s death.
The late Ocholi was regarded as a sound SAN and was mooted as one of the voices of the common man in Nigeria, a situation which makes his demise a more difficult pill to swallow.
He died in a fatal car accident along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway after the tyre of his car burst in motion, barely eight months to his 59th birthday, while his wife’s demise, which was later confirmed in the hospital, completed a near wipe out of the entire family.
READ ALSO: Ocholi’s children receive scholarship, employment from FG
His family members are suspecting foul play in the incident, not only because there might be political disagreements which may lead to heated arguments and unexpected terrible actions, but because of the manner of the crash.
A body recovered from the scene of the accident that resulted in the death of the late minister. Photo: Sahara Reporters
Reports say the driver of the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) which purportedly somersaulted a few times was the same person who took the pictures of the car and the deceased and posted on the social media. How?
This allegation smirks of suspicion, especially as the relative who made these allegations, noted that there was a special recruitment process that brought in one of Ocholi’s drivers.
While reacting to the loss of the Idah, Kogi-born legal icon, Senator Chris Ngige, the minister of Labour, informed that the permanent secretary of the ministry, who is is in charge of human resources, would be made to explain.
The late Mrs Ocholi and her son who was also in the vehicle when the accident occurred.
Ngige said: “The acting Permanent Secretary is here, she is the one in charge of human resources. We will find out and investigate it.
“We will do, but I can tell you that our personal drivers are known to us and we both keep our personal drivers. We will find out and investigate this.”
READ ALSO: His death is political: Ocholi’s family suspects foul play
Ocholi’s uncle, Abdallah Aliu; another relative, Paul Audu; and the immediate younger sister to the late Blessing, who pleaded anonymity, added that the driver in question must also be investigated.
An aggrieved Aliu had, in the heat of the moment, said: “Distinguished Senator Ngige, I know you very well. When James Ocholi was told to work with you, I knew he was in good hands because the last time I saw you was in Anambra state. We ate with you in your house as a governor.
The late Ocholi’s car where the late minister had his last breath.
“This man that just died is not a lone person. We leave this responsibility in your care. Whoever recruited the driver and posted (redeploy) him should be investigated. It can happen to anybody, it can happen to any minister. It can happen because it has happened.
“So, we want to know who recruited the driver, and at what speed (he was during the trip) to the extent that the corpse of the deceased cannot even be recognised. Can you imagine that? I am worried, it is worrisome.”
He did not end his allegations there, he stated further that the door of the side where the late minister sat was not properly locked adding that it was the reason he was flung out of the car and his body was beyond recognition.
Due to the fact that the late Ocholi was a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before the tragic loss, he shall be accorded a tribute at the special session on Wednesday, March 9, as noted by the president’s special assistant on media and publicity.
“Mr. President paid glowing tribute to the departed. Their relationship dated back to the CPC days to the role he played in the APC merger. The President just concluded that it is a tragedy of monumental proportion.
“The late Ocholi will be given his dues. He was an active member of the Federal Executive Council,” Mr Adesina had informed.
The deceased and his other family members are due for burial next week, as further investigations are being carried out on the possibility of a ‘plot’ by some unknown forces to get the man out of their way.
But the question on everybody’s lips remains is “Who killed Barrister James Ocholi?”
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