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Josephine Okereke, the wife of the newspaper vendor shot dead by a Department of State Services(DSS) operative attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has disowned her husband’s family over their demand for N500 million compensation from him.
Josephine, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, said that none of the family members informed or sought her consent before taking the action.
The family of Ifeanyichukwu Okereke had written to Gbajabiamila, demanding N500 million compensation.
Lawyer to the family, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in a letter dated November 23, 2020, had said he was mandated to write the letter by the father of the deceased, Okorie Okereke; and the younger brother to the deceased, Destiny Okereke.
The DSS had last week arrested Abdullahi Hassan, the operative who shot Okereke, while Gbajabiamila had also visited the family of the deceased and promised to ensure that they do not suffer.
However, the family demanded more, adding that nothing could bring the dead vendor back to life.
But the widow said she was not aware of the pre-litigation process, urging Gbajabiamila to ignore the family and fulfil his promises to her and her two children.
While noting that nothing could bring her deceased husband back to life, the widow expressed gratitude to Gbajabiamila for all the steps taken so far since the unfortunate incident happened last week.