The kinsmen of 42-year-old Emeka Okafor are demanding justice following his death, after he was allegedly thrown down from a four-storey building.

South-East Punch learnt that the deceased died after the tragic fall from the fourth floor of the property located along Afubera Street, Odoakpu, near Onitsha, in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He was said to have died in the early hours of Friday.

The incident happened after the deceased was allegedly accused of stealing some boxer shorts belonging to his employer, who owns the property.

The kinsmen of the deceased subsequently raised a delegation from Ogboji community in the Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the deceased hailed from, to the Central Police Station in Onitsha to demand justice over the gruesome killing of Okafor.

The delegation was led by the President General of the community, Ndubuisi Nwaedozie; Regent of Ogboji Community, Dr Kay Anyacho, as well as other members of the community, including some of the family members of the deceased.

During the visit on Monday, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olusegun Kayode, on behalf of the CPS Division, assured members of the delegation that the matter would not be swept under the carpet, adding that investigations have commenced.

Kayode appealed to the people not to take the law into their own hands, noting that some suspects have been arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, in Awka for further and proper investigation.

He urged the media to liaise with the state Police Public Relations Officer, for proper briefing on the matter, as he was not authorised to speak with the media.

Speaking to journalists amid tears shortly after meeting with the police, the junior brother of the deceased, Sunday Oguejiofor, alleged that his elder brother was gang-killed after being accused of theft.

Oguejiofor said, “He was the manager in the said property, he also resided in the building and was also employed by the owner to supervise his factory. Some parts of the building is being used as a factory.

“He called me two weeks ago that the wife of his employer has been threatening to deal with him for no justifiable reason before the unfortunate incident happened.

“I was at home when I received a call some days ago that my brother has died after he was thrown down from the fourth floor of the building. Only for me to arrive at the vicinity to meet his lifeless body. His head was tied with a piece of cloth, suggesting his face was covered before they threw him down.

“He was falsely accused of stealing boxer shorts from the factory he supervised, I learnt some of the workers beat him and locked him up for three days before he was thrown down from the fourth floor of the building around 3am that fateful day.

“He was 42-years-old. He was not yet married. I am begging the Police and other concern authorities to come to our aid, we want justice for our late brother.”

Other members of the delegation, who spoke, insisted that Okafor was falsely accused, beaten and thrown to his death from the four-storey building.

The President General, Ogboji Development Union, Nwaedozie, said what the community wants is total justice for the late Emeka Okafor.

Nwaedozie said, “We urged the police authorities not to sweep the matter under the carpet because we are very much interested in this case. We can’t afford to lose a young promising man of 42-year-old just like that. Justice must be served. We want those behind this to face justice. The incident is shocking and painful.”

Other members of the delegation included the Councillor Representing Ogboji Ward, Ikechukwu Nwokoye; the APGA councillorship candidate for Ogboji Ward, Ernest Uba; the Chairman OTU, Onitsha branch, Nze Obinna Okafor; Patron, OTU, Onitsha Branch, Nze Arinze Nwokoye; Onyebuchi Sunday, Kenechukwu Orajiaka, and siblings of the deceased, Sunday Oguejiofor and  Enuma Okafor.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said major suspects have been arrested and investigations is ongoing.

Ikenga said an autopsy will be conducted for other necessary findings and actions.

He said, “There are so many comments going viral that are aiding the investigation, some allegedly said the victim was killed by those who employed him. While others said the deceased attempted to escape by jumping down from the building after being locked in a room; and so many other testimonies from some witnesses at the scene.

“I can assure you that the police are working with all the information to make sure we ensure justice is served. The case is under investigation. But the suspects are in custody.”

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called for a more robust and adaptive legal framework to address emerging governance challenges in Nigeria’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

Amupitan made the call on Tuesday while chairing the 47th Founders’ Day Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, held at the Ayo Ajomo Auditorium, University of Lagos.

The lecture was themed: “Civic Participation, Rule of Law and Accountable Governance in a Digital Era.”

He stated that technological advancement has significantly altered governance structures globally, stressing the need for Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks to keep pace in order to safeguard democratic processes.

“We are living in a time when technology is fundamentally reshaping governance.

“From digital platforms that amplify citizens’ voices to tools that enhance transparency, technology is creating vast opportunities for participation and accountability,” Amupitan said.

He, however, warned that the digital space also presented serious risks.

“We are confronted with misinformation, digital manipulation, data breaches and concerns around artificial intelligence. These developments test the resilience of our legal system,” he added.

The INEC boss emphasised that innovation must not outstrip regulation.

“Technological advancements must not outpace regulation or undermine democratic institutions. Nigeria needs a forward-looking legal framework that promotes transparency while preserving the integrity of governance,” he stated.

Reflecting on the significance of Founders’ Day, Amupitan described it as both a moment of reflection and a call to action.

According to him, institutions remain relevant not merely by their history but by their responsiveness and impact.

He commended NIALS for bridging the gap between legal theory and practice, urging it to intensify its engagement with emerging digital governance issues.

“As the leading centre of legal scholarship, NIALS must continue interrogating new issues, generating evidence-based insights and guiding the development of adaptive legal frameworks,” he said.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Theodore Maiyaki, stressed the importance of civic participation while cautioning that technology could undermine democracy if not properly regulated.

He noted that digital transformation has redefined how societies interact and govern.

“Citizens no longer participate only through town halls or ballot boxes, but through hashtags, petitions, online campaigns and virtual communities,” he said.

Describing the digital era as both enabling and disruptive, Maiyaki warned that tools designed to expand access to information could also fuel misinformation, manipulation and surveillance.

“Technology can strengthen democracy or weaken it; empower citizens or control them. That is why safeguards are essential in any democratic system,” he said.

He stressed that civic engagement must go beyond elections. “Governance is not the exclusive domain of elected officials. Citizens must engage continuously. Democracy collapses when public voices go silent,” he added.

Maiyaki also expressed concern over declining elite participation in Nigeria’s political processes, particularly during party congresses, and called for greater commitment to democratic engagement.

On the rule of law, he maintained that it must translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

“It must go beyond theory and elite discourse to deliver functional schools, hospitals, jobs and basic amenities,” he said, noting that delays in justice delivery and perceived political interference had eroded public trust.

He called for stronger safeguards in digital governance, including enhanced data protection, cybersecurity, and transparency in the deployment of artificial intelligence.

“Digital innovation must strengthen transparency, not obscure it, because accountability is a public trust,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof Abiola Sanni (SAN), advocated closer collaboration between the faculty and NIALS to advance legal scholarship.

“We are committed to building productive linkages with NIALS, drawing inspiration from global models,” he said.

Sanni highlighted ongoing developments within the faculty, including improved infrastructure, digital libraries and modern lecture facilities, expressing optimism that they would enhance academic excellence and professional training.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIALS, Prof Abdulqadir Abikan, reiterated the institute’s commitment to supporting governance through research and policy engagement.

He traced the institute’s origin to the 1966 Nigerian Association of Law Teachers conference and paid tribute to past leaders whose contributions shaped its growth.

According to him, NIALS has continued to provide policy support in key areas such as criminal justice, environmental law, anti-money laundering and consumer protection.

He disclosed that a recent MacArthur-funded project produced policy bulletins, case digests and 23 draft court rules.

Abikan added that the institute trained 972 participants across 31 capacity-building programmes in 2025.

He acknowledged challenges, including inflation, staff attrition and infrastructure constraints, but noted ongoing efforts to address them.

He also announced the recovery of the institute’s property at Dolphin Estate after a protracted 16-year legal dispute.

The Director-General appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for support in completing the institute’s permanent headquarters in Abuja.

Among dignitaries present at the event were Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), the Asagba of Asaba; Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN); Justice Hakeem Oshodi; and Justice Modupe Nicole-Clay.

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