James Ocholi: Family Says Late Minister’s Death Is Political

The family made the revelation when the minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige paid a condolence visit to the family on Monday.

According to The Punch, the relatives of the deceased- Ocholi’s uncle, Abdallah Aliu; another relative, Paul Audu; and the immediate younger sister to the late Blessing Ocholi specifically asked the Federal Government to investigate the driver of the Ocholi’s car.

Recall that Ocholi, his family members and driver had died while traveling on a private visit to Kaduna. The death occurred when his driver slammed on the brakes of his Lexus SUV car while at top speed along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

Ocholi’s family members said that the fact that driver of the car which somersaulted several times, was still able to take photographs of the deceased and upload on social media was a hint that something more was involved because ordinarily, he ought to be unconscious.

Speaking on behalf of the family members, Aliu said: “Distinguished Senator Ngige, I know you very well. When James Ocholi was told to work with you, I knew he was in good hands because the last time I saw you was in Anambra state. We ate with you in your house as a governor.

“There was a kind of foul play in the whole exercise, which is very worrisome. Apparently, the driver who drove the car was the same person who took the photo of the dead man and sent it all over the Internet – whatsApp and others. So, the question is: how come that the driver of the vehicle in the same car was able to take the picture of the dead man?

“The side of the door, where the Honourable Minister sat, was not properly locked because after the car somersaulted, the thing flung him and so he had a terrible and fatal damage that his body was beyond recognition. There was a foul play in Ocholi’s death.”

The late minister’s uncle also said “While I was in his house, I already knew because those who conspired and plotted it (the death) became jittery because I have never been to that house and they don’t know me. But somehow, they became jittery, scared and worried.

“This thing they did is political, it is a political war and some people want to score some political points against the system somehow. The death of Ocholi is quite suspicious.

“So, I had to hurriedly leave because God has made me to know what happened and we know that they will get the people who are responsible. When you are innocent, God will always uncover how certain things happened. Ocholi’s death is a great loss to the common people of Nigeria. And the spirit of the common people of Nigeria is fighting back.

“The perpetrators want to derail the focus of this administration. They are looking for every way to put a wedge in the wheel of success. I can specifically pinpoint those who plotted these things. What they are trying to do now is to knock heads together and the earlier we get rid of them out of that place, the better,” Aliu said.

In his response, Senator Ngige promised to look into the matter.