Photos: Murder Of Nigerian Student, Toba Falode: Abike Dabiri, Keyamo et al Go To National Assembly

Irked by the alleged murder in Dubai of a Nigerian student, Toba Falode, a group of Nigerians today staged a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja. Mr. Falode died on February 15 in what police agents in Dubai characterized as an accident following a fall from the balcony of his 17th floor apartment. But the deceased’s mother, Aisha Falode, insists that all evidence shows her son was murdered. She accuses her son’s colleague named Faisal of being the murderer.

Today’s protest, led by people sympathetic to the mother of the late student, drew the attention of some members of the House of Representatives who promised to demand a thorough investigation of the alleged murder.

Chairperson of the House Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri, actually joined the protest. She assured that her committee would do all in its power to ensure justice.

Ms. Falode’s lawyer, Festus Keyamo, was also present at the protests along with Joe Okei-Odumakin, the leader of a group called Women Arise.

The late student’s mother disclosed that she had asked the Dubai police for a comprehensive report regarding the circumstances of her son’s tragic death of Toba, adding that her request was turned down. She said the authorities in Dubai told her that only the government of Nigeria could take steps on her behalf to demand a full investigation.

One of the protesters claimed that, apart from Toba's case, other Nigerians studying in Dubai had also died in suspicious circumstances with no attempt by the Dubai authorities to launch investigations.