22-year-old who fell from Cocoa House buried in Ibadan
A 22-year-old who fell from the 26-storey Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan on Monday is dead.
Feranmi Akin-Akinye, a graduate of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), was undergoing training in cybersecurity at a company based on the eighth floor of the iconic building.
Although some media reports claimed Feranmi, was taken to the University College Hospital, The Nation has reliable gathered that the 22‐year-old died immediately he suffered the fall.
A source, who is close to the deceased’s family however informed The Nation this remains were received on Tuesday and immediately buried.
The source described the deceased as lively and easy going.
The source also dismissed the speculations of suicide, noting that the parents are responsible with means of livelihood to take care of the family.
It was gathered that, although the father is based abroad, the boy with his two other siblings are under the care of their mother who is well known and respected in the neighbourhood.
She was also described as a pillar of support to many individuals aside from taking care of the family.
The Nation reports panic spread across the vicinity of Cocoa House, Ibadan, on Monday morning when a young man fell from the 24th-floor, museum section of the historic building.
Initial speculation suggested a suicide attempt but sources have ruled it out.
It was gathered the deceased resumed for work on Monday and went with some of his colleagues to the top floor to mount a banner on the wall of the building as part of a work-related assignment.
During the process, it was learnt the frame he put his leg on was too weak to hold him up, making him to fall accidentally from the 24th floor at the instance.
The source said: “The fall resulted in multiple severe injuries. Despite efforts by emergency responders to rush him to the University College Hospital (UCH), he was confirmed dead. The family has since taken custody of his remains.
“He was immediately rushed to Adeoyo state hospital but he was already dead as his head and other parts had smashed on the roof of the security post before landing on the floor.
“The family had gone to recover the corpse from the morgue where he was immediately transfered when they got to the hospital. He has been buried.”
Another source who also spoke on the condition of anonymity alleged that the young man was instructed to mount a large wall banner at the top of Cocoa House—a task typically reserved for professionals equipped with the proper tools and machinery.
“I blame the company for his death. He came from a good home, was very humble and respectful. He had a car his parents gave him but you’d never know from the way he carried himself. They asked him to mount a giant banner meant for professionals, and because of his humility, he complied,” the neighbour said.
The neighbour also claimed that following the incident, the company attempted to downplay the tragedy.
“They said he was taken to the emergency ward even though he had already died. His mother wasn’t even contacted by the company—it was a random person who called her.
“When 32 FM, which operates within Cocoa House, tried to take photos, they were prevented. His body was quickly covered with a cloth. I heard his body was badly mangled,” the neighbour added.
He added that the deceased was buried on Tuesday by his church, Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel, Apata branch
It was learnt that his father’s siblings are considering legal action against the company for alleged negligence.
Efforts to reach the mother of the deceased simply addressed as Mrs Adjie were abortive as at the time of this report as the source said the family residence around Apata area of Ibadan had been shut.
The mother, and the other siblings, it was gathered had been relocated to Lagos to control the many sympathisers thronging the residence since the incident on Monday.
The Nation reports the management of Cocoa House, in a statement by Head of Branding and Communication for Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Victor Ayetoro, acknowledged the incident but was silent on the victim’s identity or specific details at the time.
The company expressed deep concern over the development and assured the public of its full cooperation with authorities investigating the cause of the fall, saying “further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
