Controversies and confusion continue to trail the shocking death of the Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Godswill Obioma as his wife and the agency give separate accounts.
In local reports that went viral early on Tuesday, Obioma’s wife is quoted as saying that her husband was strangled to death in Minna, the capital of Niger State. He was reported to have just returned from a trip to Abuja and was resting before the incident.
In a separate account by NECO, the agency said the deceased died after a brief illness, and attributed their information to Professor Obioma’s son.
The confusing accounts from the family and NECO have led to conspiracy theories in Nigeria as the Police have chosen to stay mute on the incident.
Obioma’s death rides on the back of rising insecurity in northern Nigeria and a purported battle with the board’s agency over financial misappropriation and mismanagement.
Prof. Obioma before his demise was on a battle for supremacy with the NECO board and he was reportedly facing a tough time staying in his role, as several controversies have been linked to his name in just one year after his appointment.
Wife, Son Give Separate Accounts
After news went viral that the deceased died from strangulation, his son was quoted to have given a contrasting account in a message to NECO.
The message which was released on behalf of the family read in part,
“Dear Sir, this is to formally inform you that my father, Prof. Godswill Obioma, the registrar/chief executive officer of NECO passed to eternal glory yesterday 31/5/2021 after a brief illness,”
Prof Obioma’s son’s message to NECO on the death of his father
The sudden demise of the NECO boss has led to controversies and the contrasting accounts have done little to help quell the tension.