Late Orhions Ewansiha Thomas
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for an investigation into the death of a Nigerian student who was in custody in Malaysia.
According to a statement issued by Dabiri on Friday, Orhions Ewansiha Thomas, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in management, at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Selangor, Malaysia died while in custody.
Despite having a valid student pass, he was said to have been detained for 14 days, during which he allegedly suffered a seizure in his sleep, after which he died.
“Ewansiha had a valid student pass, but he was still detained for 14 days by the Malaysian authorities until he suffered a seizure while in custody,” the statement read.
“My heart goes out to his family, his young widow and two who’ve suffered such a painful loss. I urge the Nigerian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, to open an investigation into the death of Ewansiha. We must ensure that the welfare of our countrymen in Malaysia is not compromised”.
The university also confirmed the death, describing Ewansiha as an inspired young man.
It, however, did not explain the circumstances of his death.
“It is with the deepest regret that we report the demise of Orhions Ewansiha Thomas. Pursuing his Ph.D. in Management, Mr. Thomas was an inspired young man. All of us at Limkokwing University wish to express our heartfelt wishes of love and support to all affected,” the university tweeted.
According to the statement, Ewansiha was among 20 foreigners picked up in an operation on Jul 4 at Desa Aman Puri in Kuala Lumpur, following tipoffs from the public.
“He attempted to flee during the operation but was captured, Dzaimee said. He later produced his passport and was found to be holding a valid student pass upon further checks”.
“The action of the subject in trying to escape created doubts on the validity of the student pass held by the subject,” he said.
Ewansiha was suspected of committing an offence under the Immigration Act. He was held for 14 days for further investigations, Dzaimee added.
While undergoing the documentation process at the Kuala Lumpur Immigration office, he was provided with basic medical treatment by Civil Defence Force personnel as he had an old wound on his right leg, Ewansiha did not inform Immigration officers of any sickness, Dzaimee said.
The subjects detained in the operation – including Ewansiha – were sent to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot at about noon the next day. They were treated “appropriately” in accordance to the standard operating procedure (SOP) during detention, Dzaimee said.
At about 12.05am on Jul 9, the officer on duty was informed by the other detainees that Ewansiha “suddenly” had a seizure while sleeping.
“The Special Medical Unit on duty immediately examined and treated the subject and contacted Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital (HUKM) for assistance,” said Dzaimee.
The assistant medical officer – who arrived with the ambulance at 12.30am – examined and assisted Ewansiha, but the student was later pronounced dead.
Following the incident, the supervisor and officer on duty lodged a report at the Bukit Jalil police station.
Additional report from Channelnewsasia
