Itunu Babalola: Ivorian ambassador has questions to answer ― Reps

The House of Representatives has vowed to unravel circumstances surrounding the death of Ms. Itunu Babalola, the Nigerian lady who recently died in an Ivory Coast prison under strange circumstances reiterating that all the action necessary to unravel the case will be encouraged.

The house added that these may include a thorough coroners’ inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding Itunu Babalola’s death. 

The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Hon Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, made the position of the House known during a condolence visit to the parents of the deceased in Ibadan.  

According to her, the Ivorian Ambassador to Nigeria, will have to ensure that the wrongful incarceration that resulted in the death of a Nigerian citizen is investigated urgently, adding that the House of Representatives is always committed to the safety of Nigerians in the diaspora and will not rest until it gets justice for Itunu Babalola, even in death.

It will be recalled that the late Babalola, also known as Becky Paul, was reported to have been sentenced for an offence she did not commit in the Francophone country. 

Hon. Akande-Sadipe emphasised that the Committee on Diaspora is not satisfied with the result of the autopsy carried out in Cote d’Ivoire, adding that “a thorough investigation on the matter must still be carried out.”

She, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government not to let Itunu’s death be swept under the carpet, adding that “Itunu will be vindicated and her name will be cleared. It is not going to stop here, I promise.”

Speaking during the visit, Itunu’s father, Emmanuel Babalola, in tears, said the family can only have closure through a thorough investigation into the cause of their daughter’s death, adding that through an independent toxicologist, the cause of her death can be established. 

Thanking Hon. Akande-Sadipe for her kind gesture, Mr Babalola reiterated that Itunu was victimised in prison and appealed to the Federal Government to wade into the matter urgently. 

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