DEPUTY Comptroller of Finance Administration and Technical Service at the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Esien Etop Andrew died at the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 25.
Andrew died while responding to questions resulting from the ongoing probe of revenue-generating agencies by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives.
According to a report, Andrew suddenly began to cough in the course of answering questions and slumped.
A statement by the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, also confirmed the incident, although the the statement didn’t identify the deceased.
The statement disclosed that the official was immediately taken to the National Assembly clinic upon showing signs of distress.
“During the engagement, which occurred around 1.00 pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the official developed sudden health complications. Despite the immediate and diligent efforts of first responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he unfortunately passed away,” Rotimi noted.
He conveyed the condolences of the Speaker of the House l, Tajudeen Abbas, to the deceased family.
“The House of Representatives stands ready to support efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and is cooperating fully with all relevant authorities to ensure all necessary protocols are followed,” the statement further read.
The ICIR reports that a customs official suddenly slumped and died in 2022 at the Aminu Kano Airport in Kano state, during an official engagement.
The official who was Comptroller, Trade Facilitation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Anthony Ayalogu, suddenly took ill upon arrival at the airport and lost consciousness before his demise.
Recently, an officer of the NCSAbdulwahab Magaji, was found dead in his residence after reportedly committing suicide.
Magaji was reported to have shot himself to death in May 2024, and an alarm raised by members of his family prompted the police to arrive at the scene of the incident.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.