LAGOS/Nigeria: The family of late businessman, Solomon Iwerebor, has called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, demanding an autopsy and forensic examination to establish the cause of death and determine the whereabouts of his remains.
The demand was made by his sisters, Mrs Stella Iwerebor and Mrs Udo Hamis, alongside their lawyer, Dr Charles Mekwunye, SAN, at a press conference in Lagos, where they expressed concern over what they described as unanswered questions surrounding the death.
The family also appealed to the police not to allow external influence to undermine the investigation, insisting that anyone found culpable should face prosecution in accordance with the law.
The appeal followed the arrest of the deceased’s brother, Justin, and his wife, Anthonia, on Monday over their alleged involvement in the circumstances surrounding Solomon’s death. The deceased was reportedly staying with the couple before he died.
According to the sisters, Solomon, who lived in Germany with his wife and children, had travelled to Nigeria to visit his brother and sister-in-law but had not been seen by other members of the family for more than two years.
They said the family only learnt of his death through third parties on September 6, several days after he reportedly died.
The sisters further claimed that they were not informed of any illness before his death and had been unable to obtain satisfactory information about the medical attention he allegedly received, the hospital involved or the location of his remains.
They described the circumstances as particularly distressing, saying the family had been left without essential information needed to understand what happened to their brother.
The family maintained that its immediate concern was to establish the facts surrounding the death rather than prejudge the outcome of the police investigation.
Before the recent arrests, the law firm of Mekwunye had petitioned the Lagos State Police Command, requesting a thorough investigation into the incident.
Among the issues raised in the petition were the need to establish the hospital where Solomon was allegedly treated, obtain his medical records and determine the whereabouts of his remains.
The family said the matter was initially referred to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, where the suspects were invited for questioning.
However, they alleged that the Zone 2 Police Command subsequently made moves to assume responsibility for the investigation, a development that prompted them to submit another petition to the Inspector-General of Police on October 23, 2026.
In the petition, the family questioned the proposed transfer of the case to Zone 2, arguing that the command did not have a dedicated homicide division.
They also alleged that the suspects had failed to honour earlier invitations from investigators at Panti.
Consequently, the family asked the Inspector-General of Police to direct that the investigation be returned to the SCID, Panti, and that the final investigation report be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for appropriate legal action.
Following the arrest of the suspects, the family renewed its appeal for an impartial investigation, warning against any attempt to secure their premature release or interfere with the process.
Beyond the investigation, the family outlined specific steps it wants the police to take to resolve outstanding questions surrounding the death.
These include identifying the hospital in Benin City, Edo State, where Solomon was allegedly taken for treatment and obtaining the relevant medical records.
They also want the police to establish the present location of his remains and ensure that the body is preserved against any movement, burial, cremation or other disposal that could obstruct forensic investigations.
The family further requested an autopsy and other appropriate forensic examinations, in accordance with applicable laws and procedures, to determine the actual cause of death.
The sisters stressed that obtaining answers about their brother’s final days and the circumstances of his death remained essential to the family, urging the police to pursue the investigation without fear or favour.
