Father accused hotelier of hiring assassins to kill his son

A grieving father has accused an hotelier of hiring assassins to murder his 42-year-old son at the Ojuelegba Road, Surelere area of Lagos State.

The 55-year-old businessman, Mr. Matthew George-Umaigba, said his son’s killers ensured he wouldn’t survive. He noted that his son Afenghide George was shot on his head, chest and stomach.

Matthew said that his son struggled to live for seven days before losing the battle. But before Afenghide gave up the ghost, he allegedly told his dad how he was shot and those behind the attack.

The hotelier, identified simply as Solomon, has, however, denied the allegation.

It was gathered that trouble between the late Afenghide and Solomon, started after the deceased went to the hotelier’s hotel to have drink with some friends.

Nobody knew for sure what transpired, but the two were alleged to have engaged in a heated argument. Solomon was further alleged to have whipped out a gun and shot at Afenghide.

It was also said that Afenghide dodged the bullet by using a table to block it. Afenghide escaped from the bullet. When the dust settled, Solomon accused Afenghide of insulting him. 

Afenghide and his friends went to the hotel to drink on November 25. The hotel is said to be located two buildings away from the deceased’s home.

It was gathered that when Afenghide and his friends were drinking at the joint, the manager of the motel, identified simply as Solomon (alias Sanction) came and accused the deceased of disrespecting him.

Matthew, who demanded for justice, added: “The hoodlums grabbed my son and shot him on his head, chest, and stomach. They left him in a pool of his blood. They thought he was dead. I returning home when I saw people gathered in front of my house. I asked what was happening, I was told that my son had been shot. Immediately, I wasn’t myself. Before I could park my car, some people rushed him to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in a tricycle.  When I got there, the doctors were trying to remove the bullets in his body. On his sick bed he told me how he was attacked.
“My son was in the hospital for seven days before he eventually died. He died at about 3am. The case was later reported at Surulere Police station where the suspect was later invited for interrogation.”

Solomon was said to have told the deceased that he was his enemy and Afenghide asked, how his enemy; an argument ensued between them; to the surprise of everybody the motel manager brought out a gun and attempted to shoot him.

But the late Afenghide was said to have quickly pull up a table to defend himself and escaped out of the place. The following day, some hoodlums led by one Adams accused him of insulting their god-father the motel manager.

The bereaved father said the suspects told the police that he knew the boys that carried out the attack and mentioned one Adams, Musa, Timaya and Idimu, claiming that they were secret cult boys who usually come to his restaurant to drink that his not the one that sent them.

He however promised the police to bring the boys to the police station the following day. But four days later the suspect did not bring any body and promise to foot the medical bills.

The police visited the scene of incident, hospital and Civic motel for further information. The police did not allow me to bury my son until autopsy is carried out,’’ he said.

The businessman, however, expressed sadness over the non-arrest of the four suspects at large, stressing that were seen moving freely in area.

Confirming the incident, The State Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], SP Dolapo Badmos said two people have been arrested.

Badmos however, said police were on the trail of other members of the gang and two suspects already arrested would be charge to court as soon as investigation is concluded.