By Excellence Oseose
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has called for an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the death of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Agada Levi Agada, expressing concern that the probe has shifted away from identifying those responsible for the officer’s killing to allegations against Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the Executive Director of the NCSCN, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu, said only a comprehensive investigation supervised by relevant federal oversight institutions would restore public confidence in the country’s criminal justice system.
The council’s intervention follows allegations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals that CSP Oyewumi assisted Chinese nationals facing trial over alleged illegal mining to evade prosecution. The Mining Marshals claimed the suspects repeatedly failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja, leading Justice M.S. Liman to revoke their bail and issue bench warrants for their arrest.
The NSCDC further alleged that Oyewumi, alongside other police officers, facilitated the escape of two suspects through the Nigeria-Cameroon border and was planning to help another defendant flee before he was apprehended in Abuja. Mining Marshals Commander Attah John Onoja also accused the police officer of obstructing justice, alleging that investigators recovered live ammunition, suspected rare minerals, bank statements and electronic devices from a residence allegedly occupied by Oyewumi and the Chinese defendants.
However, the NCSCN insisted that the circumstances surrounding the death of Officer Agada should remain the central focus of the investigation.
“Our intervention is neither to defend nor indict any individual or institution. Rather, it is to ensure that investigations are conducted professionally, fairly, transparently and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” Akinlosotu said.
The council said information available to it suggested that Agada died during an operation at a mining site and that an autopsy allegedly revealed gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen. It added that there were claims the ammunition used in the shooting might have originated from the NSCDC armoury, although it noted that it had not independently verified the allegation.
According to the council, such allegations warrant a thorough and independent investigation capable of commanding public confidence.
The NCSCN also questioned the search conducted by NSCDC Mining Marshals at Oyewumi’s residence, alleging that officers were searching for the police investigation file and other materials relating to Agada’s death. It claimed the officers searched extensively, including the ceiling, and confiscated Oyewumi’s mobile phone, which allegedly contained conversations and confessional materials linked to the investigation.
The council urged investigators to determine whether all constitutional and statutory procedures were followed during the search and seizure, and whether any electronic evidence was lawfully obtained and preserved.
It also questioned the basis of the allegations that Oyewumi aided illegal miners, stating that information available to it indicated the Chinese nationals involved possessed valid mining licences issued by the appropriate authorities.
According to the NCSCN, the legal status of the mining operations should be determined through verified records rather than allegations.
The council further demanded updates on the investigation into Agada’s death, including whether suspects had been identified or arrested, whether autopsy and ballistic reports had been completed, and what evidence supported the allegations against Oyewumi.
It also called for an investigation into allegations that NSCDC Mining Marshals prevented other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, from accessing mining sites, and sought clarification over claims that a senior Mining Marshal led a midnight operation at a police officer’s residence during which property was allegedly damaged and valuables taken.
The NCSCN urged all security agencies to avoid institutional rivalry capable of undermining public confidence in the justice system.
It called for an independent review of the entire matter under the supervision of relevant federal oversight institutions, stressing that anyone found culpable should be held accountable regardless of rank or agency, while every accused person should continue to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.