Rivers toddler’s death: Police, school deny cover-up allegations

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed receipt of the autopsy report conducted on the remains of a two-year-old girl, Miss Winnie Akekue, who allegedly died from injuries after a bookshelf fell on her in a classroom at her school in Elimgbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The police, however, denied allegations that it was withholding the autopsy report from the parents of the toddler, describing it as a public document that would be released to them once they formally applied for it.

Recall that the parents of the girl, while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday evening, accused the management of Wisdom Gate International School of initially hiding the truth, while also alleging that the police were reluctant to release the autopsy report submitted to it by the pathologist.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a telephone chat with our correspondent on Friday while responding to the allegations.

Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the death of the child, said that following preliminary investigations, the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for a thorough probe.

She stated, “Yes, the incident happened at the Special Area Division. After the police took a statement from a suspect, we transferred the case to the State CID. At that stage, they went for an autopsy, and an investigation is ongoing.

“The police cannot withhold an autopsy report because that is a public document. It is not a police document. Ours is to investigate, and the report of the autopsy is with us, but once they formally apply for it, it will be given to them.”

On allegations that the police were conniving with interested parties in the case to mount pressure on the parents to resolve the matter, she said the police could not be a party to such actions.

“The police cannot dabble in such a thing. If other third parties come in, maybe speaking to the family to go and resolve the matter, it cannot be from the police. Our duty as police is to ensure there is peace, and that is why the matter is still under investigation to assist the family in unravelling the truth,” she said.

Family demands justice, school responds

Father of the late toddler, Iasuaka Akekue, at a news briefing on Wednesday, said the incident occurred on March 17 at Wisdom Gate International School, where his daughter had gone for the day.

Akekue further said he was told that his daughter was asleep in the classroom when a bookshelf suddenly fell on her. He, however, said a verbal report from the pathologist who conducted an autopsy indicated that Winnie suffered a fractured skull.

The distraught father expressed dismay that the family was only informed about the incident after the school had taken the child to two different hospitals.

He alleged that the school quickly cleaned up the scene of the incident and moved the bookshelf, further claiming that some individuals were attempting to pressure him and his wife into burying their daughter quickly and settling the matter.

Akekue said, “Verbal report from the pathologist said there was a significant fracture to the skull that led to haemorrhage, and that could be the cause of death. We were also told that in a week’s time, the formal report would be made available to the police.

“So we left there that day believing that next Wednesday we would be called to discuss the findings from the autopsy, where we can proceed whichever way we want.”

He also accused the police of trying to cover up the matter.

“The IPO (Investigating Police Officer) from then on did not give me any permission to see what she had promised to be the document obtained from that other hospital,” he said.

He added that he was later informed that the detained person had been released, adding that the family had come under pressure from “highly placed persons” to settle the matter quietly.

“At this point, I don’t know how safe I am, but all I want is justice for my daughter. I need to at least be able to lay her to rest knowing what actually killed her. No thorough investigation has been made in the matter,” he said.

He added, “Everything has been about suppressing the matter, hoping that we will be able to reach a resolution.”

On her part, Winnie’s mother, Chinyere Akekue, said she was given a different account of what happened, noting that she was initially told by a teacher that her child was still alive.

The grieving mother said the entire family, including their three children, had been devastated by the loss, adding that they had been under intense pressure to settle the matter quietly.

“We were surprised when calls started coming from different angles telling us to go and bury her. I don’t even know how they got the phone number of my husband’s boss. They started pressuring us. They went to our church, called our church leaders and all that. Nobody told us exactly what happened,” she said.

She added that they were later told at the hospital that a shelf had fallen on the child’s head, noting that conflicting accounts had left the family confused.

Meanwhile, the management of Wisdom Gate International School, located along Eligbolo Road in Obio/Akpor LGA, expressed sadness over the tragic loss of the toddler in its care.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the school said the child was attended to immediately and taken to the hospital, where she later died, adding that it had been cooperating with relevant authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.

The school acknowledged concerns raised by parents and the public, and assured that the safety and well-being of all children in its care remained its top priority, but denied withholding any information from authorities.

The statement read in part: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a child in our care. Our hearts are with the family at this incredibly painful time, and we extend our sincere condolences.

“Immediately following the incident, the child was attended to without delay and taken for urgent medical care. The matter was promptly reported, and we have been fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent review.

“We understand the concerns this situation has raised among parents and the wider community. We wish to assure all concerned that the safety and well-being of every child entrusted to us remains our highest priority.

“We remain committed to openness and accountability, and we are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities. At no time have we withheld information from them.”

It added that it would refrain from further public commentary out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, while remaining open to lawful engagement.