Osokogu: Oxpharm management dissociates self from murder of businessman, Cynthia

CP, Lagos, Umar Manko

Fresh controversy appears to be churning up following police claim over a businessman who was killed by kidnappers in Lagos State recently.

The management of Oxpharm specialties LTD has vehemently denied that Mr. Oddi Nweze, the businessman who was killed by kidnappers in Lagos was abducted in front of its Satellite branch outlet.

The Pharmacy Company’s insistence sharply contradicted the Lagos State Police Command assertion that the deceased was going there-pharmacy- to purchase some drugs for the child of his female companion when he was abducted.

In a press release made available to the Nigerian Compass by the Managing Director of the pharmacy stores, Mr. Ike Ugwu, explained that the incident happened not too far from the pharmacy.

Ugwu kicked against police statement that it happened in front of their company, stressing that their pharmacy is situated in old Ojo Road by Ijegun Road junction, Satellite Town.

"The unfortunate victim of the incident did not enter nor bought any item from our pharmacy on that fateful day prior to the incident,” states Ugwu. “It is pertinent to state that there are numerous other businesses in and around the popular junction where the incident took place. Our staff heard sporadic gunshots at about 9pm as they were about closing for the day. They ran out to see a jeep, which ran into a ditch in front of the next building, which is between our pharmacy and Oando filling station. They like other passersby and witnesses raised the alarm on seeing that the driver of the jeep had been shot inside the vehicle. After that, they immediately closed shop for the day."

He further stated that since the incident took place, none of his staff or customers had been called for questioning and no policeman had invited or asked them about the incident.

Ugwu added: "It is therefore preposterous and unthinkable for anybody to associate our reputable pharmacy with this dastardly act. We state unequivocally that the unfortunate victim did not enter, attempt to enter to buy any item from our pharmacy immediately or prior to the incident!”

On Cynthia Osokogu's issue, Ugwu said, "the inference to the pathetic and unfortunate case of Cynthia and the attempt to rope our pharmacists in a murder case they know nothing about and did not participate in has been left to the law court to judge.

"In as much as we condemn it in its entirety, criminal acts of any sort, we are forced to state that the reference to our pharmacy is a deliberate attempt to tarnish our image and reputation built over the years by associating us with crime we know nothing about.

"While we commend the police for stating that they already have some suspects in their custody, we will not hesitate to call for caution on the issue of peddling names of reputable companies like ours unnecessarily in such a criminal matter.”

The Area commander in charge of Area 'E' command FESTAC, where the case is currently being investigated, Mr. Dan Okoro, was quoted as saying that the police was focusing their searchlight on Oxpharm, because the police could not comprehend the coincidence in the kidnap of the deceased in front of their outlet in Satellite Town.

Okoro mused: "It's an issue that I cannot just place. First it was in their store that the drug that was used on Cynthia was purchased in FESTAC and now Mr. Nweze was abducted in front of their branch at Satellite town. It’s in focus, we are thinking about that. Why must it be Oxpharm again?”