Anti-death penalty advocate, Arthur Angel, was on Sunday, killed by unknown assailants and buried in a shallow grave in Edo State.
The incident happened in the Late Angel’s home town in Ugboha, Esan South East, Edo State. The assailants also burnt down his house.
Having been sentenced to nine years imprisonment for a crime he said he didn’t commit and was on death row for nine years, Angel, who was also a human rights defender, used his foundation, Life Wire International Foundation, to fight against the use of the death penalty in the country.
He travelled to over 15 countries to speak out against the death penalty through his art exhibitions and drawings.
When the PUNCH contacted Angel’s cousin, Michael Ihaza, on Tuesday, he confirmed the assassination of his uncle.
He said, “I cannot really say if he had a problem with anyone. He won several cases over family land, but I really don’t know if that brought issues between him and anyone.
“He never reported any threat to his life to me. However, his 15-year-old son, who reported the case to the police in Ugboha, has been taken into custody for questioning, but I don’t think he has a hand in his father’s death.
“His son was arrested the same day he was killed. The narrative that is making the rounds within the police circle and in town is that the boy is also a suspect.
“My late uncle fought for humanity in his lifetime. How worked on prison reform, and he was a gentleman. I never heard that he had a problem with anyone.
“The police say they are investigating the matter, so we don’t want to say anything that will jeopardise the investigation. Hopefully, the culprit will be identified and brought to justice.
A Facebook user, Okoro James, in a post on Angel’s page, described the deceased as a philanthropist who made his days in the National Youth Service Corp in Ugbowo, a memorable one.
James wrote, “I spoke with you last week over the phone, and you promised to visit me immediately after you get to Lagos. Oh, What a wicked world.
“Sir Arthur, you made my NYSC days in Ugboha, Edo State, a memorable one because you took all of us as your own siblings. You took proper care of us and provided all our immediate needs, especially your fatherly advice on how to conquer and survive after NYSC.
“Your philanthropic depositions towards humanity won’t go unnoticed, having freed thousands of inmates who were unjustly incarcerated both locally and internationally through your platform, Life Wire International.
“Sir Arthur Judah Angel, as we await to see the needed justice over your death is done, may your killers never find peace wherever they are, Amen.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said the incident had not been reported to the police command. He urged citizens to promptly report crimes to the police so that they can begin an investigation in time.
When told that the matter had already been reported to the police station, he said, “We have to find out where and get the DPO to acquaint the command about the case.”
