?The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has accused the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, of pursuing a biased and selective investigation into the death of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Agada Levi Agada.
The council insisted that the focus of the case has been deliberately shifted from uncovering those responsible for the officer's killing to the targeted arrest and prosecution of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi.
?Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Executive Director of the NCSCN, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu, called for an immediate, independent, transparent, and impartial investigation into the entire matter. He emphasized that only a comprehensive probe supervised by relevant federal oversight institutions would restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.
?The NCSCN's intervention follows allegations by the NSCDC Mining Marshals that CSP Oyewumi helped Chinese nationals facing trial for alleged illegal mining evade prosecution.
The Mining Marshals claimed the defendants repeatedly failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja, prompting Justice M.S. Liman to revoke their bail and issue bench warrants for their arrest.
The agency further alleged that Oyewumi, alongside other police officers, facilitated the escape of two suspects through the Nigeria-Cameroon border and was planning to help another defendant flee before he was tracked to an Abuja apartment.
Mining Marshal Commander Attah John Onoja accused Oyewumi of obstructing justice, alleging that investigators recovered live ammunition, suspected rare minerals, bank statements, and electronic devices from the residence where he allegedly lived with the Chinese defendants.
?However, the NCSCN strongly questioned the direction of the investigation, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Agada's death must remain the central issue.
Akinlosotu stated that the council's intervention is neither to defend nor indict any individual or institution, but to ensure that investigations are conducted professionally, fairly, transparently, and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
?According to information available to the council, Agada died during an operation at a mining site, and an autopsy allegedly revealed gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.
The NCSCN also noted claims that the ammunition used in the shooting may have been traced back to the NSCDC armoury, though it stated it could not independently verify this allegation.
The council stressed that these allegations are far too serious to be ignored and require a comprehensive, independent investigation capable of commanding public confidence, reiterating that the search for Agada's killers must not be overshadowed by external allegations.
?Furthermore, the NCSCN raised fresh concerns over the conduct of the search carried out at Oyewumi's residence by the NSCDC Mining Marshals.
Information available to the council indicates that the officers were specifically searching for the police case file relating to the investigation and any evidence that could expose attempts to cover up the circumstances surrounding Agada's death.
The council alleged that officers broke the ceiling and searched virtually every part of the house where they believed documents or evidence could have been concealed.
?The council also alleged that the officers confiscated Oyewumi's mobile phone during the operation. This phone reportedly contained recorded conversations and confessional materials from individuals linking certain persons to an alleged cover-up surrounding the investigation into Agada's death.
The NCSCN urged investigators to establish whether all constitutional and statutory procedures were followed during the search and seizure, and whether potentially relevant electronic evidence was lawfully handled.
?The council also questioned the basis upon which Oyewumi was accused of aiding illegal miners, noting that information suggests the Chinese nationals at the centre of the controversy were in possession of valid mining licences issued by the appropriate government authorities.
The NCSCN asserted that the legal status of the mining operations must be determined through verified records from relevant regulatory agencies rather than letting allegations replace documentary evidence.
?Demanding answers from the Mining Marshals, the council questioned the current status of the investigation into Officer Agada's death, whether those directly responsible have been identified, and if the investigation has progressed to prosecution.
It further questioned whether autopsy findings, ballistic examinations, and other forensic analyses had been completed and forwarded to prosecuting authorities, while demanding clarification on the exact evidence underpinning the allegations against CSP Oyewumi.
?The NCSCN also called for an investigation into allegations that officials of the NSCDC Mining Marshals had prevented other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, from accessing mining sites, thereby limiting independent oversight.
It referenced allegations that a senior Mining Marshal led a midnight operation at the residence of a Chief Superintendent of Police during which property was damaged and valuables taken, while also seeking clarification over reports that the same officer allegedly failed to honour an invitation by the Nigeria Police Force.
?Urging all security agencies to avoid institutional rivalry capable of undermining public confidence in the justice system, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria called for an independent review of the entire matter under the supervision of appropriate federal oversight institutions.
The council maintained that anyone found culpable should be held accountable irrespective of rank or agency, while insisting that every accused person remains entitled to a fair hearing and the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
