Abuja, Nigeria – Valentine Oyemike, a politician and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 Edo State House of Assembly election, has filed a N1 billion lawsuit against a widow, Mrs. Esther Osaghae, and a police officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Femi Adelogba, over the alleged unlawful detention of two of his staff members.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/341/2025, was filed on 25 February 2025 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Mr. Oyemike is seeking redress for what he described as a violation of the fundamental human rights of his employees and reputational damage stemming from the controversial death of Mrs. Osaghae’s husband, Fidelis Osaghae.
Hotel Manager’s Controversial Death
The late Fidelis Osaghae, 33, was the manager of Valchi VFK Oriental Services Limited, Auchi branch—owned by Mr. Oyemike. He was found unresponsive in the company’s office on 29 July 2024, hours after returning from home. He was later confirmed dead at the hospital.
An autopsy conducted at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi, indicated the cause of death as “asphyxiation, respiratory failure, and chemical (organophosphorus) poisoning,” suggesting suicide. This report was included in court filings.
However, the autopsy has been challenged by the widow and civil society groups, who claim the report ignored visible injuries such as head trauma and scalp damage. At a press conference in 2024 organised by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), Mrs. Osaghae described her husband’s death as suspicious and accused police in Auchi of mishandling the case by failing to arrest any suspects more than ten days after the incident.
Her call for justice sparked widespread outrage and prompted a coalition of groups—including the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)—to petition the Inspector General of Police, demanding a credible investigation and an independent autopsy.
Allegations Against Police and Widow
In his affidavit, Mr. Oyemike accused ASP Adelogba, assigned to the case at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Abuja, of bias and intimidation. He claimed the officer coerced statements from his staff, disregarded medical reports, and dismissed the original autopsy without due process.
He further alleged that the prolonged detention of his staff members, Tracy Owiku and Cyprian Saamoyal, was politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing his image and destroying his business interests in Edo State.
“The entire investigation lacked fairness and constituted a breach of our constitutional rights,” Mr. Oyemike stated, alleging that the officer acted “maliciously” and with the intent to persecute.
Reliefs Sought
Mr. Oyemike is asking the court to declare the detention of his staff unlawful and a violation of their rights. He is also seeking:
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N1 billion in general damages,
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A public apology from both respondents, to be published in two national newspapers,
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A perpetual injunction restraining further harassment.
As of press time, neither the widow nor ASP Adelogba had filed a response to the suit.
