Posted by Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja on
The House of Representatives yesterday condemned the murder of a Nigerian, Mr. Ojide Ekene in Guangzhou Province, China.
The House of Representatives yesterday condemned the murder of a Nigerian, Mr. Ojide Ekene in Guangzhou Province, China.
The lawmakers urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish a Nigerian Consulate there to attend to the increasing consular cases considering that over 5,000 Nigerians are resident in the province.
This followed the adoption of the recommendations of the report of the House Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs.
The report was first laid on November 19.
Giving a background on the issue, Hon. Adike Dabiri - Erewa recalled the events that led to the death of Mr. Ekene.
She said the attack by two private security guards was unprovoked and unwarranted, noting that the culprits should be punished.
Mrs Dabiri -Erewa said the Chinese government has offered to pay a compensation of N4 million to the family.
According to her, the amount was the highest sum the Chinese law permits.
The family, she also said, has agreed to accept the compensation.
Other recommendations of the joint committee adopted by the House were to commend the prompt action of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in China and the Chinese Embassy in the country.
The lawmakers also agreed that the criminal case against the two securitymen should be followed to a logical conclusion, and that full compensation should be paid to the families of the deceased.
Ekene reportedly died in a Military Hospital in Guangzhou Province, China on October 8, following an attack by two security guards.
He was said to have been clubbed with heavy iron as he tried to urinate inside Yulong Building in Guangzhou Province, China. He died after two weeks.