Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for an investigation into the death of a Nigerian student in Malaysia.
Orhions Ewansiha Thomas, a PhD student at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Selangor, Malaysia died while in custody.
He was detained during a raid on July 4 at 10.45 p.m. at the Desa Aman Puri area in Kuala Lumpur and despite presenting a valid student identity card, he was kept in detention where he died 14 days after.
In a statement issued by Dabiri-Erewa on Friday, she said: “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 in a tweet also confirmed the death.
It described the deceased as an inspired young man.
The tweet read: “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.”
Ewansiha allegedly died from a seizure.
