Exactly 20 years ago (July 27, 2006), unknown men invaded the Lagos residence of Funsho Williams, the Peoplea Democratic Party governorship candidate, and stãbbed him to dæth.
Here is how Archivi chronicled a P.M. NEWS report about the incident:
▶️ Williams’ driver of 22 years, Omotosho, discovered his body after førcing his way into the house around 9 am. He said the upstairs rooms were in disarray, personal items scattered, furniture displaced, and Williams was found near his computer.
▶️ Shøcked, he raised an alarm, drawing in Williams’ personal security officer and media aide, Frank Ozoegbuna.
▶️ Ozoegbuna later told police detectives that he knew nothing about the mürder, claiming he had retired to his room downstairs after Williams went upstairs to sleep.
▶️ He said he neither heard nor saw anything unusual. But a top hømicide officer who examined the scene said the assailants likely gained access through the roof and ensured Williams was dæd before leaving the same way.
▶️ Investigators confirmed that the disorder in the rooms suggested Williams struggled with his ãttackers before being subdued. Four assa!lants were believed to have been involved.
▶️ Shortly before his dæth, Williams had attended a peace meeting at the Zone II Police Command in Onikan, where the AIG urged PDP governorship aspirants to maintain calm ahead of elections.
▶️ Present were several party leaders, including Senators Musiliu Obanikoro and Adeseye Ogunlewe. Afterwards, Williams went to a dinner party at Opic Plaza in Ikeja to celebrate the birthday of another PDP chieftain, Rasheed Williams. Party officials said he was lively and in good spirits.
▶️ He returned home around 9:30 pm and held a caucus meeting with members of his campaign organisation until about 1 am, after which everyone left.
▶️ Omotosho said he resumed work the next morning at around 7:30 am but was told that Williams was still asleep. Even the cook who prepared breakfast was not allowed to see him.
▶️ By 10 am, with rallies scheduled for Tafawa Balewa Square and Eti-Osa, Omotosho insisted on seeing his boss. That insistence led to the discovery.
▶️ Police later arrested Ozoegbuna, four mobile policemen attached to Williams, the house help, and a private security guard. All were detained at the State Police Command in Ikeja as investigations began.
ℹ️Ethnic African Stories
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.