THE ALLEGED ACCEPTANCE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATE’S POLICE REPORT ON THE DEATH OF A NIGERIAN

The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a story captioned 'FG Accepts UAE Police Report on Nigeria Boy's Death' which was published on pg.7 of The Guardian of Friday May 16, 2014. In the report, the paper informed that in a telephone interview with Ambassador Ibrahim Auwalu, Nigeria's principle envoy to the UAE, it obtained explanation to the effect that his mission had 'received the report of Oloruntoba Oluwadamilola Falode death'. Mr. Falode, was a student of SAE Institute, Duba, UAE.

2. In scouring through the story, there was no where the Ambassador was quoted as having accepted the contents of the police report and forensic investigations carried out on the remains of the deceased. What is obvious in the report of The Guardian's interface with the diplomat is that he (the Ambassador) provided highlights and obviously, the conclusion of the host police's investigations into the alleged murder. This is in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). We must therefore hasten to say, that receiving a report does not amount to accepting the contents of the report as the caption of the story conveys.

3. What is more, in conclusion the reporter quoted Ambassador Auwalu as saying, that 'As far as the family is concerned the matter is ongoing and of course we have to go by the wish of the family. Therefore, for us too the matter is ongoing. Once the family says that they are not satisfied we continue because we represent Nigerians and their interest'.

Ogbole Amedu Ode
Director/ Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Tafawa Belewa House,
Abuja

17th May, 2014