Timilehin: Father wants killer cop charged with murder

Mr Segun Ebun, the father of nine-year-old Timilehin, who was killed by a policeman in Ketu/Kosofe, Lagos State, on June 13, 2013, has insisted that his son’s killer must be charged with murder and not manslaughter.

Segun said this during a visit by the member of the House of Representatives, Ikorodu Constituency, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to his home on Wednesday.

He told the lawmaker that although his son was not killed deliberately, the suspect, Sergant Razaq Alowonle, had the intention to kill someone.

He said, “I was in my jeep with my three children and wife on that fateful day. We had gone to pick up my son, Jide, who schools in Canada, from the airport.

“Around Kosofe area, we encountered heavy traffic because some policemen were attempting to arrest a bus driver. They started shooting and suddenly a bullet pierced through the windscreen of my vehicle and killed Timilehin.

“I strongly believe that the killer policeman attempted to kill someone because he was not shooting into the air. I believe he attempted to kill the bus driver but he ended up killing my son in the process. So, it was murder, not manslaughter.”

Segun, who stated that anything short of a murder charge would amount to injustice, urged the lawmaker to ensure that there was no cover-up in the case.

The victim’s father told newsmen that life had not been the same since the demise of his youngest child.

While pointing to Timilehin’s bicycle, he said, “Just looking at this (bicycle) and his belongings reminds me of him. This house has suddenly become a shadow of itself since Timilehin’s death.

“I just cannot overcome the fact that my son was killed in cold blood in my presence.”

Dabiri-Erewa promised that she would do her best to ensure that the matter was not swept under the carpet.

The lawmaker, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, said she had met with the police high command in the state over the matter.

She urged the media, as watchdogs of society, to continue to give reports on the case since such effort would make the police and members of the public take the matter very seriously.

She said, “The spirit of that young boy cannot rest in peace unless justice is done. Although nothing can bring him back, let the police make provision for compensation. I will do my best as your representative to make ensure that justice is done.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, told our correspondent on the telephone that investigations were still ongoing into the matter.

She promised that the matter would not be swept under the carpet.

When asked if Alowonle would be charged with murder or manslaughter, she answered, “Investigations are still ongoing, so I cannot say for sure what he will be charged with until investigations have been concluded.”