The Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire has expressed sadness over the eventual death of Itunu Babalola who was wrongfully incarcerated in Cote D’Ivoire.
The 23 years old lady lost her life on Sunday night, while in detention after fighting tirelessly to prove her innocence against her detention by the Ivorian police.
She was framed up by the police after refusing to collect a N100,000 bribe for stolen items during a theft in her house.
She had reported that one of the burglars was suspected to be a close relative of a top police official.
The Ivorian police then ended up framing her up for the crime she did not commit when she refused to be compromised.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian embassy revealed that Itunu suffered died from diabetes and sadly went into coma a diabetic coma on Friday November 12, 2021.
It also disclosed that Itunu finally died in a hospital in Bondoukou, North Central Cote D’Ivoire, on Sunday November 14, 2021.
In statement titled: “THE DEMISE OF MISS BECKY PAUL A.K.A ITUNU BABALOLA WHICH OCCURED ON SUNDAY 14″ NOVEMBER 2021” issued on Tuesday, the embassy also regretted that the death of the young lady was announced at a period when efforts to rescue her started bearing fruits.”
The embassy however noted that with the knowledge of her family members, an autopsy would be conducted to ascertain the actual cause of her death.
According to the statement, “We regret to announce the demise of Miss Becky Paul, also known as Itunu Babalola, which occurred at the Military Hospital in Abidjan, on Sunday 14th November, 2021
“The deceased had been diagnosed with diabetes and went into a diabetic coma in a hospital in Bondoukou, north central Cote dTvoire, on Friday 12th November, 2021.
“This precipitated her immediate transfer to the Military Hospital in Abidjan. She eventually gave up the struggle on Sunday evening, after experiencing difficulties in breathing. With the consent of her family, an autopsy will be performed to determine the true cause of death.
“It is recalled that Miss Babalola had been sentenced to a ten-year prison term, following a conviction on allegations of human trafficking. Officials of the Embassy had paid her a Consular visit to not only ascertain the state of her well-being, but also consider options for a review of the matter. Till her death, she had vehemently protested her innocence, an action that compelled the Mission to seek legal representation to appeal the judgment, on her behalf. These efforts were beginning to bear fruit, as the case file, with the efforts of the Lawyer, had been transferred to the Court of Appeal in Abidjan.
“We were anticipating the commencement of the appeal process before her untimely death. The Embassy in Abidjan is in communication with her family in Nigeria, and is working with them to ascertain their preferred next course of action regarding her interment.
“The Mission has also apprised its host authorities of this lamentable development and indeed, registered the displeasure of the Federal Government at the seemingly apathetic manner in which Miss Babalola’s case had been treated.
“The Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and prays for the peaceful repose of her soul.”
