… we have to allow them keep our sister for the interest of peace says family members…..
Susan Idoko-Okpe (Nee Lawani), the controversial index case of Covid-19 in Benue state has continued her agitation for her release from the national Hospital whom she termed “detention” and “unlawful custody”.
Mrs Okpe who couldn’t secure her release from isolation have decided to approach lawyer. To start she wrote a letter through her lawyer EBUN-OLU ADEGBORUWA, SAN to the Federal ministry of health dated April 23, 2020.
The letter which was titled “REQUEST FOR THE RELEASE OF MRS. SUSAN IDOKO-OKPE (NEE LAWANI) FROM DETENTION” demands her immediate and unconditional release as well as a public apology by the Federal government whom she (Okpe) claims have been detaining for a Crime she knows nothing about. The letter have been trending in both social and traditional media.
TNG in an attempt to verify the authenticity the letter approached the Lawani’s family who Okpe comes from. According to her eldest brother who is a former director general of the nigerian institute of Tripanosomiasis Research Kaduna ,Dr Felix Lawani, though he is not aware of the letter, he is sure his sister must have approached the lawyer since she has been agitating for her release from isolation. “I have not seen the letter, it’s not in my place to see the letter, I have recieved several calls regarding that letter but its not my duty to speak on the letter since it’s a legal document….but I know my sister must have approached a lawyer to get freed….”
TNG reported on 30th March on how Mrs Okpe a British-Nigerian Citizen arrived Benue Nigeria to attend her mother’s burial ceremony but was forcefully isolated after showing some symptoms bof Covid-19. But in a twist to her case Okpe and her family who claimed they have not seen her Covid-19 test result insist she (Okpe) is negative, but she has been on isolation and have since resisted any Covid-19 treatment. ” I spoke to the honourable minister of health who was responsible for the movement of our sister (Susan Okpe) to Abuja.” Dr Lawani told TNG.
Lawani a Forensic Pathologist and a former appointee of he Federal Ministry of health is already giving in to the influence of the forces holding his sister. TNG attempted to find out if the people Mrs Okpe had contact with in Benue were tested through contact tracing but Dr Lawani couldn’t respond. “…from what I know if a person is tested three times and is positive he or she has to be placed on isolation…. If my sister continue to resist treatment, it is now left for the government to know what to do….” He said. “….for now, we have allow them to keep our her for the interest of peace, the minister told me that it is for the interest of the public and you know the people’s interest overwrites the interest of one person….” He added.
Other key flash points of the letter includes demands for her rehabilitation and compensation “upon her release and proper rehabilitation, our Client will determine the quantum of damages that she has suffered as a result of her ordeal and revert to you with details thereof, for settlement.” she added in the letter that
“while thanking you for your kind considerations and positive response, please accept the best assurances of our warmest regards, always.”