Presidency Seek Thorough Investigation Over Death Of Nigerian Student In Custody

Mrs. Abike Dabiri Erewa

Senior Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa, has called on the Nigerian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to open an investigation over the death of a Nigerian PhD student, Thomas Orhions Ewansiha in immigration custody.

Mr. Thomas, aged 34, who was undergoing his PhD program at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Malaysia, was reported to have died in detention, leaving behind his wife and two kids.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia, had on Friday, confirmed that the Nigerian student died in its custody.

Ewansiha, according to the Director General of the agency, Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, had been detained during a raid on July 4 2019 at about 10:45pm at Desa Aman Puri area in Damansara.

"The subject (Ewansiha) also fled but was successfully arrested by operation officers. The subject then presented his passport and checks showed that he has a student pass that was still valid," Dzaimee Daud was quoted to have said in a statement made available to some print media.

"The subject's action in fleeing had raised doubts about the authenticity of the student pass that was owned by him," the immigration DG said.

He said that 20 foreigners, including Ewansiha, had been detained after the July 4 raid, adding that all of them were brought to the Kuala Lumpur immigration office, before being sent to the Bukit Jalil immigration depot on July 5, 2019.

The Director General claimed that Ewansiha was treated for old wounds but on Tuesday, around 12:05 midnight July 9, 2019, the officer on duty was informed by other detainees that the subject suddenly had a seizure while sleeping, which led to his death.

On Friday, the university announced Ewansiha's death on its Twitter page, stating that it learnt of the tragedy on Thursday.

But Dabiri, in a chat with our correspondent on Friday evening, expressed worry over the detention of the late Ewansiha, in spite of his valid student pass status.

"I urge the Nigerian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to open an investigation over the death of Ewansiha. We must ensure that the welfare of our countrymen in Malaysia is not compromised," she said.