Special Report

Nigerian
News

NigerianNews
Report Series
Special Report

more investigative report

Questions, that will no doubt, promise more startling revelations when answers begin to sickle in. Nigerian News will continue its own investigations and provide details as they come in!

Edo State: Death of a Commissioner leaves pressing questions unanswered!
Written by Frisky Larr

---

Keeping its historical fame as the nation’s prized seat of arts and culture aside for once, the capital city of Edo State – Benin City – is these days making nationwide headline all for the wrong reasons. In a quick succession within a few weeks, the streets of this hectic and bubbling urban settlement has witnessed political celebrations amongst a large section of its indigenes and is now settling for a sober round of sadness and soul-searching. While the declaration of Comrade Oshiomole – gubernatorial candidate of the AC in state elections – as the rightful winner of governorship elections sparked off spontaneous street parties only a few days back, Edo State is today witnessing a dreadful sense of cold sobriety. Sobriety in the face of the sudden death of a Commissioner whose personal credentials do not only reveal the experience and intellectual qualification of an attorney but a trace of popularity and recognition across several households. It will be recalled that Calus Enoma, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation was found dead in the room of a luxury Palm Royal Hotel located in a suburb of Benin City along the Lagos-Benin Expressway in the early hours of Monday, March 31st, 2008. While Police investigations are still geared towards unraveling the mystery surrounding this shocking tragedy, rumor mongering is of course, having a field day as is typical in an issue of this sort. The natural consequence is a chain of questions begging for answers. Attempting to find answers however, NigerianNews has made its own contacts in the state capital within the past few days. Investigations so far conducted have revealed that the Commissioner checked into Palm Royal Hotel on Friday 28th, 2008 at about 22:00 hrs using the name Nosa Aliu using different telephone numbers and emphatically asking not to be disturbed. Such impromptu and incognito check-ins are said not to be unusual on the part of the late Commissioner. Prior to his arrival at the hotel however, the Commissioner was said to have swapped the security number plates of his car with a less conspicuous one as is customary with prominent personalities seeking to blend into society unnoticed. Even though all indications strongly point to a female company in the aftermath of the check-in, there has so far, been no clear confirmation of this from the most reliable sources. Speaking to the media shortly after receiving news of his son’s death, the late Commissioner’s father Pa Richard Enoma urged the police to quiz the chief executive of a government parastatal who was said to have threatened to teach the Commissioner a lesson. NigerianNews investigation has however, uncovered that the Chief Executive in question is a former General Manager of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), whose name is yet undisclosed. A former personal friend of the Commissioner, the General Manager in question soon found his establishment brought under the direct control of the Commissioner of Information. With the burden of a questionable electoral mandate and formidable personal commitment, the state government has been bent on delivering good governance and clear accountability at least, in public view. It therefore, goes that persistent rumors and indications of financial misdeeds within this government parastatal could not go unanswered. The commissioner launched a probe on financial dealings within the EBS. Personal relations are said to have gone sour thereafter. Our information however fairly underscores the fact that this Ex General Manager is in fact, too gentlemanly to contemplate, let alone perpetrate such a dastardly act. Ongoing police investigations involving meticulous questioning of hotel staffs and guests, running even into the late hours of Thursday April 03rd, 2008 are cladded in utmost secrecy. Still many questions remain unanswered. Why did Calus Enoma pick on the name Nosa Aliu for a bogus check-in? Who called the Commissioner on telephone to prompt his hurried and unguarded departure to the hotel? Why did the State Governor’s special Adviser on Communications and Public Relations Tony Ikpasaja, who announced the Commissioner’s disappearance only on Sunday March 30th, 2008 point accusing fingers at the AC and its Governorship candidate Adam Oshiomole? Questions, that will no doubt, promise more startling revelations when answers begin to sickle in. NigerianNews will continue its own investigations and provide details as they come in!   Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com