A death row inmate, Obinna Echianu, has committed suicide inside the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
The High Court of the Federal High Court in Nyanya, Abuja had on February 2020, sentenced Echanu to death by hanging for killing an Uber driver identified as Inalegwu Edwin Ali, on December 26, 2016.
Echianu was said to have hanged himself with his clothes in the prison toilet on Saturday, October 2, 2021.
His body was found early in the morning by other inmates who wanted to use the toilet. The body was subsequently removed and taken to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital mortuary while an investigation was launched into the incident.
A source said, “The inmate hanged himself with his clothes while the other inmates were sleeping on Friday night. They woke up Saturday morning to find his body dangling in the toilet. Investigations are ongoing but there is no sign or suspicion of foul play or culpable homicide but investigations are on. His case was on appeal and nobody knew what the outcome would have been.”
The spokesman, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory Command, Humphrey Chukwuedo, who confirmed the incident on Monday, October 4, said an investigation had been launched.
“The body has been taken to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.” he added.
Echianu was arraigned alongside one Everly Nnorom, a student, by the police on five-count of armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, and culpable homicide.
The prosecutor had told the court that Echianu, a businessman from Abia State and Nnorom, from Imo State on December 25, 2016, conspired to commit armed robbery and culpable homicide, punishable with death.
It was gathered that the two men were said to have dispossessed Ali of his blue Nissan Priemera car and one mobile phone at Gosa pedestrian bridge, Airport Road, Abuja, and also killed him after the robbery.
The judge discharged and acquitted Nnorom for lack of evidence linking him to the alleged crimes.
Echianu was sentenced to death but his lawyer was said to have appealed the conviction.
Meanwhile, one Richywhy Aondongu Abellags, in his tribute to the Benue State University graduate after his murder, wrote: “Whatever happened to you. May your killers never have peace. Goodnight and journey well, my brother and friend, Edwin Inalegwu Ali.”