A witness has confirmed the death of a Nigerian student who was arrested and detained by the Malaysian Immigration Officers despite having valid documents.
Thomas Orhions Ewansiha who was a PhD student was arrested with 19 others at their apartment in July last year.
Mohd Hafiz Mohammad Ruszali, an officer with the Federal Territories immigration office, said that checks on their computer system confirmed that Thomas Orhions Ewansiha’s passport and student pass were in order.
Hafiz said Thomas’ student pass would only expire on Sept 23, 2019, and his Nigerian passport on July 27, 2023.
Although the documents were valid he said, the officer in charge of the raid asked for Thomas to be detained to ascertain if he was really a student. ‘’During the operation he tried running away’’ he said.
Questioned by lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who was holding the brief for Thomas’ family, said he did not personally see him trying to flee.
“At that time, all the Nigerians were running away,” he said.
Hafiz said the department confirmed that Thomas had valid documentation on the morning of July 5, 2019, a day after the raid, to which Rajesh sarcastically said “that was quite efficient’’
Limkokwing University also confirmed that Thomas was a student there.
Hafiz said he noticed a wound on Thomas’ leg and referred the matter to Mohamad Nazri Mohd Sa’ari Koh, a Civil Defence Department Officer.
The inquest previously heard that police were notified of his death at the immigration detention centre at Bukit Jalil on July 9, five days after he was detained.
An application has been filed by Thomas’s family for an inquest into his death as there are suspicions of assault and non- medications during detention, there will be hearing in February 13.
