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Boniface Umale

These indeed are evil days. Yet another Nigerian, Mr. Boniface Umale has become the latest victim of death in UK prison custody over unexplained circumstances. Umale, a Masters student in Pipeline Engineering at Northumbria University, Newcastle, was arrested and while it was still unclear the reasons for his arrest, on March 24 authorities at Her Majesty Prison, Durham announced that he had died!

While friends, in shock, were still rallied round, trying to talk the Nigerian High Commission in UK to action, while trying to ask for a post-mortem result and to ensure justice is done, and while his family is yet to be officially informed, only yesterday, Barrister Adeniji of Rock Solicitors, the lawyer hired by his friends was at the prison only to learn that the body of the late student was being prepared for cremation! What are the prison authorities trying to hide?

Why is the Nigerian High Commission foot-dragging?

The world needs an explanation on what really happened to Boniface Umale, the young aspiring Nigerian cut short at the height of his dreams.

Below is a letter from his friend Daniel Okpla to the media, detailing the case:

Dear Editor,

DEATH OF NIGERIAN STUDENT IN UK PRISON

Friends and members of the Idoma community in the UK have been saddened by the mysterious death in prison of Mr. Boniface Umale. Mr Umale graduated in 2008 with an MSc degree in project Management from the Northumbria University, Newcastle and started another M.Sc degree in Pipeline Engineering until his demise in custody.

According to the Her Majesty Prison (HMP) Durham, Boniface died in the early hours of 24th March and the news was broken to the Nigerian High Commission on Monday 25th of March 2013. He was held at HMP Durham and attended several court trials.

As at the time of writing, HMP Durham could not confirm if he was convicted of any crime and have not submitted any autopsy report to the Nigerian High Commission despite several requests by the High Commission and the Idoma community in Diaspora.

Without confirmation from the Nigerian High commission, HMP Durham has indicated her intention to proceed with cremating the body without following due process. Family, friends and the entire Idoma community in Diaspora have made it clear that cremation is culturally unacceptable and arrangement must be made to repatriate the body to the family at Otukpo, Benue State for a befitting burial.

Suffice to say that HMP Durham owes Boniface and all suspects and/prisoners in her custody the duty of care and protection no matter the allegation against them. Any failure in this regard is viewed seriously. It is completely unacceptable that HMP Durham seem to be sweeping this matter under the carpet.

They have failed to provide answers to pertinent question agitating the minds of friends and family members at such a difficult time. Boniface’s family and friends need to know:
1. When and why was he arrested including access to legal representation?
2. The level of care and support he received while in police custody prior to arriving at the HMP Durham prison.
3. Why did the police and the authority of HMP Durham fail to notify any one in UK or Nigeria of his arrest and detention until his death?
4. Was his death at HMP Durham prison racially motivated or due to gross negligence?
5. Was he particularly in a solitary confinement and without appropriate monitoring and risk assessment?
6. How was he treated in custody including any history of hospital attendance?
7. Why is the authority of HMP Durham refusing to disclose his post mortem report and insisting on cremation despite strong protest from members of the Idoma community?

While we expect the law to take its full course, the authority of HMP Durham must be held to account in keeping her obligation of duty of care and protection to all inmates in her custody. We press for transparency, justice and equity in this matter. We are strongly opposed to cremation which is a cultural taboo and hereby urge the HMP Durham and the UK government to investigate this matter and bring justice to the grieving family.

Many thanks for bringing our plight to your highly esteemed audience.

Yours sincerely,
Daniel OKPLA
Birmingham
UK

One_Naira: If it was in a police custody form of prison then his death is most likely caused by the police but if he was in actual prison full with inmates then it is more likely he was killed by an inmate. He's death goes solely on what did he do first? Why was he arrested? His type of crime might indicate why anyone would want him dead. Another factor is race. I heard that UK prison has alot of racist white in it so his race and also being a foreigner might be the reason he was killed. R.I.P to him but they need to give us the whole detail before any of us should jump into the conclusion he was killed by a prison ward.

Nezan: Bonnie's death was very unfortunate. More painful to me personally is the fact that he was my undergraduate mate.

coogar:

uk prisons are like hotels, mate!
prison violence is at barest minimum - they pamper the prisoners to a fault. enough computer classes, pool table, playstation consoles and solid 3 square meals!



why was he arrested? immigration issue or drugs charge?

coogar:
uk prisons are like hotels, mate!

eGuerrilla: You do not hire a Nigerian solicitor to unravel a case like this. That was the first mistake made, in my opinion.

My advise to Boniface's extended family and friends is to take Lee up on his offer.

http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/1568-engineering-student-passes-away-while-in-custody-at-durham-prison

50calibre: This is weird because the standard of living in UK prisons is very high. You go to classes, gym, play games, get to go home once in a while, get conjugal visits from you partner and would get separated from other prisoners at the slightest complain of danger.

ShyM-X:


Maybe, they aren't entitled to legal aid - and the naija solictor is the best they can afford for now...

50calibre: This is weird because the standard of living in UK prisons is very high. You go to classes, gym, play games, get to go home once in a while, get conjugal visits from you partner and would get separated from other prisoners at the slightest complain of danger.

Okija_juju: [size=18pt]WHAT WAS HIS OFFENCE THAT LANDED HIM IN 'Her Majesty's Prisons'..?[/size]

Innocent people dont go to Prison in Obodo Oyinbo?!

Dying in Prison is a normal occurence, but what led to his incarceration?! We are not talking about Jail here but prison. For you to be in prison, you must have passed through the courts and sentenced to prison. If it is Jail, then its different.

50calibre: This is weird because the standard of living in UK prisons is very high. You go to classes, gym, play games, get to go home once in a while, get conjugal visits from you partner and would get separated from other prisoners at the slightest complain of danger.

eGuerrilla:

Details are scant at the moment


http://www.causelist.org/13-03-2013/

50calibre: This is weird because the standard of living in UK prisons is very high. You go to classes, gym, play games, get to go home once in a while, get conjugal visits from you partner and would get separated from other prisoners at the slightest complain of danger.

Dis Guy: 3. Why did the police and the authority of HMP Durham fail to notify any one in UK or Nigeria of his arrest and detention until his death?

they should also ask his university, in case he's not filled in any next of kin

never heard someone in prison without being convicted

ShyM-X:


Who lied to you ignorant people?? loooool

It's so good and the suicide rate in UK prisons is as high as ever...

Stick to the topic and stop spewing what you don't know, bro..

eGuerrilla:

Details are scant at the moment


http://www.causelist.org/13-03-2013/