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| Picture of late Mr. Michael Eyo Essien |
Dejected, deserted and devastated aptly
describe the condition of the family of Michael Eyo Essien, the Calabar Trader
who was unjustly smashed with a vehicle to death by men of Department of Public
Transport popularly known as DOPT in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to his young wife, Michael Eyo
Essien, a native of Creek Town in Odukpani local government area of the state, had
left home on that fateful day to his business spot around Watt. Market where he
sells phones accessories.
As usual, men of Department of Public Transport,
DOPT beckoned. They seized his wares(phone accessories) allegedly because he
had refused to "drop something" as other traders who sell by the
roadside do.
Eye witnesses account revealed that rather than
allow them merely walk away with his wares, Michael followed them with pleas
and prayers that his wares be released to him. Unperturbed and unrepentant, the
men carried all his wares (phone accessories), umbrella and wheelbarrow and dumped
in their vehicle.
"As Michael stood before the vehicle
and kept pleading, one of the men, apparently, the leader of the team, ordered
the Driver to start the vehicle and hit Michael, the trader out of his way. Those
who stood by and passersby thought he never meant it. Acting on the orders of
his boss, the driver smashed Michael to death." The wife recounted with endless
tears.
Michael Eyo Essien left behind his wife,
four children, aged mother, aged mother-in-law who all lived with him in a
single room apartment, in an open compound along Edibe Edibe road almost opposite
Duncan street in Calabar.
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| Family of late Mr. Michael Essien |
The unjustly killing of the young Calabar
trader made news in Calabar. There was a loud uproar and it became a subject of
discussion in almost every home, office and business centres.
Only two months after, the dust it raised
seemed to have been settled.
At the time, the Cross River State House of
Assembly had condemned the act and immediately set up a committee to visit the
bereaved family and report back within one week. This move received a nod and many
saw it as a preliminary step towards consoling and compensating the bereaved
family and ensuring that justice was served to his murderers. Asked if Members
of Cross River State House of Assembly had visited, the deceased widow Mary,
said: "We heard they were coming. But we haven't seen them. It is two
months since after my husband was killed. We haven't seen or heard from the
state government, Cross River State House of Assembly, DOPT or any highly
placed individual from the government. Life was tough when my husband was
alive. It is tougher now that he is no more."
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| Deceased Trader's single room apartment |
As at when the sad incident occurred, this medium
spoke with the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Irene Ugbo. The
Force spokesperson, in a phone conversation, confirmed the arrest of two officers
of DOPT who were alleged to be directly responsible for the killing of the Calabar
trader, Michael Essien and disclosed that they would be charged to court.
Two months after, the family is still
crying out loud for justice. Two months after, the family is crying out louder
for compensation. Can the government hear their cry and wipe their tears? Can
someone come to their aid.
"Obviously, life is hard with them. So
hard that they cannot afford a meal in a day. We call on the government, civil
and human rights organizations as well as public-spirited individuals to come
to their aid." Joy, a neighbour to the bereaved family appeals for help on
their behalf.
