Killer drink: Ondo seeks coroner’s inquest into deaths
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Government has moved to investigate deaths linked to the consumption of suspected toxic herbal and alcoholic concoctions, with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, seeking a coroner’s inquest into the incident.
Ajulo, who disclosed this in Akure on Sunday, said he had formally written to the state’s chief judge requesting the establishment of a coroner’s court to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish their immediate and underlying causes.
According to him, the inquest would go beyond determining the cause of death to examine whether the tragedy could have been prevented and identify measures needed to avert a recurrence.
Meanwhile, Ajulo said his office and the Ministry of Justice had been reviewing the regulatory framework governing the production, distribution, sale and consumption of locally prepared herbal and alcoholic products to address possible gaps.
He explained that the review predated the latest incident, noting that stakeholders and concerned citizens had earlier submitted a draft regulatory framework to his office for consideration, including contributions from journalist Goke Oluwole, whom he said had experience in the sector.
Furthermore, the commissioner warned that anyone found criminally responsible through the investigation would face the law, stressing that status, influence or connections would not shield anyone from prosecution, while insisting that no person would be punished without due process.
Ajulo said the government’s response would focus on establishing the truth for affected families, holding accountable those found culpable and strengthening regulation to prevent a recurrence, as recent reports indicate that at least 48 people had died among 182 recorded cases linked to the suspected beverages.
He expressed sympathy to the families who lost loved ones and wished those still receiving treatment a full recovery, assuring that any action arising from the investigation would be guided by evidence and the law.
