Victoria Mba, the mother of 22-year-old Moses Mba, has rejected a ₦5 million offer from Cross River State government officials following the killing of her son by policemen allegedly attached to the residence of Governor Bassey Otu in Calabar.
Mba insists that no amount of money can substitute for justice, accusing the government of attempting to silence her family after her son was shot and beaten by police on August 1.
“They brought ₦5 million. We rejected it. Is the value of my son’s life ₦5 million? They said it was a condolence visit, but I don’t know when condolence is done with money. I want justice, not money,” she said.
Mba explained that Moses, her first child, had told her he was going to preach to the governor before the incident occurred. Instead of being turned away, she said, he was allegedly brutalised and shot.
“Is it a crime to approach a gate? They could have turned him back or held him until they contacted us. Instead, they beat him, shot him in the leg, and ended his life.”
She revealed that Moses spent eight days in the hospital before succumbing to his injuries, during which plainclothes security officers reportedly stayed in his ward.
Despite being advised to await an autopsy, Mba expressed deep distrust in the system handling the case.
“The Assistant Commissioner of Police told me to wait for an autopsy. I agreed, but I don’t trust their doctors. I just want the truth. They think they can silence me with money. I will not be silenced.”
She called for the arrest and prosecution of all officers involved in her son’s death, stressing that the real issue is about dignity and accountability, not compensation.
“My son was my pride. He called me ‘mother’ first. They’ve taken him from me and are trying to cover it up. I have lost my investment, my identity. But I want his death to mean something.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Linus Obogo, confirmed the governor had condemned the incident and ordered a police investigation.
“The governor directed the Commissioner of Police to investigate. The officer involved is being held. This is a police matter.”
Obogo denied that the ₦5 million was a bribe, insisting it was meant to assist the family with funeral expenses.
“It was a condolence visit. We could not have gone there empty-handed. The gesture was purely sympathetic.”
Spokesman for the Cross River State Police Command, Igri Ewa, said the matter is under active investigation, with the officer allegedly responsible facing internal disciplinary action.
“This is no longer being hidden. The matter is receiving attention. The outcome will be made known after due process, including advice from the DPP and an autopsy,” he said.
Human rights groups and legal experts have joined the family’s call for justice.
Debo Adeniran, President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, condemned the killing:
“Nobody has the right to take another person’s life without judicial process. The officer responsible must face appropriate punishment as a deterrent.”
John Umeh, South-South Zonal Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, described the act as “reprehensible,” insisting the state must offer a state-funded burial before any compensation is discussed.
“The family has not asked for money. They only want a proper burial for Moses. His life cannot be equated with cash.”
Umeh further recommended that an independent pathologist from a teaching hospital be included in the autopsy process to ensure transparency.
