By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria, Lagos – Contrary to allegations of conspiracy, negligence and suspected murder of two-year-old Raphella Ogbodo, through electrocution, police preliminary investigation has attributed her true cause of death to drowning.
Exonerating the management of Smiley Kids Montessori School, Heritage Place, Sangotedo in Lagos of the alleged criminal act, a claim by the bereaved father, John Ogbodo, the police investigation report sited by ProwlingEagles revealed that the deceased strayed to the school’s poolside, where she got drowned.
Mr. John Ogbodo had in a petition, dated March 6, 2025, requesting police investigation to unravel the circumstances under which the toddler died, while fingering connivance between one Ayodele Thomas (m) and four other staff of the school in the unfortunate incident.
“The deceased, who was under the watch and care of the suspects, negligently strayed to the poolside and got drown”, the report indicated.
It further disclosed that, in the course of its discreet investigation, an autopsy was performed on the remains of the deceased, by the Chief Pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the cause of death was attributed to asphyxia and drowning.
According to the report, “The complainant and other witnesses volunteered their statements, while the suspects’ statements were recorded under caution”, stating that the expert report from a certified government agency/ministry refuted the alleged electrocution of the deceased.
The case file has, however, been duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for vetting and legal advice.
