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, accusing the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, of pursuing what it described as a selective investigation that has shifted attention from identifying Agada’s killers to prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, the Executive Director of the NCSCN, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu, said the council’s intervention was aimed at ensuring that the investigation was conducted professionally, fairly and in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
“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’s intervention follows allegations by the NSCDC Mining Marshals that CSP Oyewumi assisted Chinese nationals standing trial for alleged illegal mining to evade prosecution after they 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 Mining Marshals also alleged that Oyewumi, alongside other police officers, facilitated the escape of two suspects through the Nigeria-Cameroon border and was making arrangements for another defendant to flee before he was tracked to an apartment in Abuja.
Commander Attah John Onoja further accused the police officer of obstructing justice, alleging that investigators recovered live ammunition, suspected rare minerals, bank statements and electronic devices from the residence where Oyewumi allegedly lived with the Chinese defendants.
However, the NCSCN argued that the investigation appeared to have departed from its primary objective of uncovering the circumstances surrounding Agada’s death.
“The death of Officer Agada is the central issue. Any investigation into other persons, no matter how significant, must not replace or overshadow the search for those responsible for his death,” the council stated.
According to the council, information available to it indicated that Agada died during an operation at a mining site and that an autopsy allegedly revealed gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.
It further noted allegations that the ammunition allegedly used in the shooting may have been traced to the NSCDC armoury, although it stressed that it had not independently verified the claims.
“These allegations are far too serious to be ignored. Whether ultimately established or disproved, they require a comprehensive and independent investigation capable of commanding public confidence,” the council said.
The NCSCN also raised concerns over the conduct of the search carried out at Oyewumi’s residence by NSCDC Mining Marshals.
It alleged that officers involved in the operation were specifically searching for the police case file relating to Agada’s death and other materials connected with the investigation.
According to the council, the officers allegedly broke the ceiling and searched virtually every part of the residence where they believed documents or evidence could have been concealed.
The council further alleged that Oyewumi’s mobile phone was seized during the operation.
It claimed the device allegedly contained recorded conversations and confessional materials from individuals said to have linked certain persons to attempts to suppress or cover up aspects of the investigation into Agada’s death.
“We have also received allegations that the officers seized the CSP’s mobile phone, which reportedly contained conversations and confessional evidence from persons allegedly linking certain individuals to attempts to suppress or cover up aspects of the investigation. These claims deserve independent scrutiny because, if true, they could have significant implications for the integrity of the investigation,” the council said.
The NCSCN urged investigators to establish whether constitutional and statutory procedures were followed during the search and seizure and whether any potentially relevant electronic evidence was lawfully handled.
It also questioned the allegations that Oyewumi aided illegal miners, saying information available to the council suggested that the Chinese nationals involved possessed valid mining licences issued by the appropriate authorities.
“The legal status of the mining operations must be determined through verified records from the relevant regulatory agencies. If the individuals being described as illegal miners were indeed operating under valid mining certificates or licences, that fact must form part of any fair and objective investigation. Allegations should not replace documentary evidence,” the council stated.
The council demanded updates on the investigation into Agada’s death, asking whether those directly responsible had been identified, arrested or prosecuted.
It also sought clarification on whether autopsy findings, ballistic examinations and other forensic analyses had been completed and forwarded to prosecuting authorities.
The NCSCN further requested that investigators disclose the evidence underpinning the allegations against Oyewumi, including documentary records, witness statements, forensic reports and electronic communications.
In addition, the council called for an investigation into allegations that officials of the NSCDC Mining Marshals prevented other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, from accessing mining sites, thereby limiting independent oversight.
It also sought clarification over allegations that a senior Mining Marshal led a midnight operation at the residence of a Chief Superintendent of Police during which property was allegedly damaged and valuables taken, while reportedly failing to honour an invitation by the Nigeria Police Force.
The council urged all security agencies to avoid institutional rivalry capable of undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system.
It called for an independent review of the entire matter under the supervision of relevant federal oversight institutions to examine the circumstances surrounding Agada’s death, subsequent investigative actions and allegations of obstruction, misconduct or abuse of process.
The NCSCN maintained that anyone found culpable should be held accountable regardless of rank or agency, while insisting that every accused person remained entitled to fair hearing and the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
