Ocholi: FRSC quizzes driver on hospital bed

The Federal Road Safety Corps has commenced thorough investigation of the ghastly auto crash which claimed the lives of the Minister of State for Labour, Mr. James Ocholi (SAN), his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua.

The FRSC has specifically interrogated the driver of the SUV on his hospital bed in the National Hospital, Abuja, and security personnel attached to him.

The Assistant Director, Information and Protocol, National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, stated this.

According to him, officials of FRSC visited the hospital in connection with the investigation of accident.

“Oh yes, we received the FRSC today (Tuesday) in connection with the accident. They also visited the driver and the security detail, where they questioned them on the cause of the accident,” he emphasized.

The decision was sequel to the demand by family members for an investigation of the driver and the method of his recruitment.

Ocholi’s Uncle, Abdullah Aliu, had suspected a foul play in the accident.

He had said, “There was a kind of foul play in the whole exercise, which is very worrisome. Apparently, the driver that drove the car was the same person that took the photo of the dead man and sent it all over the Internet, what’s app and social media. So, the question is: how come that the driver of the vehicle in same car was able to get himself and take picture if the dead man?

“The side of the door where the minister was sitting was not properly locked because after the somersaulting of the car, the thing flinched him off and so he had a terrible and fatal damage that his body is beyond recognition. There is foul play in Ocholi’s death.

“While I was in his house, I already know because those who conspired and plotted it became jittery, because I have never been to that house and they don’t know me. But somehow, they already became jittery, scared and worried. This thing they did is political. It is a political war and some people want to score some political point against the system somehow. The death of Ocholi is quite suspicious.”

But speaking with journalists on Tuesday, a childhood friend of Ocholi, Rev. Tor Uja of Mission House International, Markudi, Benue State dismissed such claims, arguing that such allusions “are evil.”

He said, “I want to dismiss that thought of foul play, investigation and suspicion. These are not Godly thinking. If you accused the driver, the driver was not outside the car before the accident occurred.

“Those stories are wrong, I don’t support the impression that we are going to do investigation. We should stop voodooism in our national life but ensure that ministers get the best attention and our roads are fixed. I believe that this is of the devil. This is to turn attention away from the issue.

“I do not believe in that suspicious theory. I do not support investigation. They should bury Ocholi quietly.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has offered automatic job and scholarships to the surviving children of the late minister who died in a motor accident, along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway on Sunday.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Salihu Isah, said this in a statement on Tuesday.

Ocholi’s wife, Blessing, and his son, Joshua, also died in the accident.

Isah said on Tuesday that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), revealed the government’s plan for the surviving children of the deceased Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He said the purpose was to “to cushion the effect of their father’s death” during a condolence visit to the Ocholi family in Kado Estate, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The AGF conveyed his personal and President Muhammadu Buhari’s condolence messages to the Ocholis during his visit to the bereaved family at about 3pm on Tuesday,

The AGF was said to have offered an employment in the Federal Ministry of Justice to one of Ocholi’s son, Aaron.

Malami was also said to have disclosed that Aaron’s siblings would enjoy scholarships for their educational pursuits.

The statement quoted the AGF as saying, “I am here to convey Mr. President’s condolence message and he has asked me to personally inform you that you have been given automatic employment in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“The employment letter is in process and you can resume work after now.”

Also paying tribute to the late Minister, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Col. Ahmadu Ali (retd.), who wore a gloomy face after condoling with the family said his demise was a catastrophe for the Igala Kingdom and Nigeria.

Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura who led members of his cabinet also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late minister, even as he asked God to strengthen the family.

He said, “It is a serious loss to this country. It is a personal loss to me because we have come a long way. Among all the governorship candidates in the last election, he was my closest friend. He is someone with a sound legal influence in this administration.

“We have been so close, even when I have events, I don’t need to invite him before he attends my functions. We were together two weeks ago.”