- Safiu Kehinde
A Special Assistant to former Nigerian Minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reportedly died in a hotel after leaving church to spend time with ‘an individual’.
This was disclosed by Fani-Kayode in a post on his X handle on Monday.
The ex-minister narrated how the aide, identified as Ndifreke Saviour Mark, had left home on Sunday for morning mass at a Catholic church in Asokoro area of Abuja.
After the morning mass, Ndifreke left for a hotel in Garki where he lodged with the said unidentified individual.
According to police, the ex-minister’s aide had reportedly slumped and died in the presence of the individual.
Meanwhile, the ex-minister confirmed that the individual has been arrested alongside the hotel receptionist.
Lamenting over the development, Fani-Kayode described the late Mark as son to him, lauding his commitment across their 34 years of working together.
The post read in part; “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my devoted Special Assistant, Mr. Ndifreke Saviour Mark, who was with me for no less than 34 years.
“He left home at 5.40am on the morning of Sunday 13th October for morning Mass as he was a devoted Catholic and member of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro after which he went to a hotel by the name of Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja.
“According to the police he took a room at the hotel and spent some time there with an individual after which he apparently slumped and died in that individual’s presence.
“He was taken to Asokoro District Hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival and has since been put in the hospital morgue.
“The individual he was with at the time of his death in the hotel is now in police custody and I have insisted on a full criminal investigation of the matter and an autopsy.
“The hotel receptionist has also been detained by the police whilst both the manager and the owner of the hotel were invited for questioning earlier this week.
“The entire hotel was also sealed up by the police for two days and the room in which he lodged remains sealed till today.
“I have broken the sad news to his family, I have met with his wife Barrister Patience Ndifreke-Mark and his Uncle, Mr. Clement Mathias, (who represented his family) and I have also told them of my intention to ensure that, if indeed there is any foul play, justice is done and those behind it are brought to book.
“Mark was like a son to me and his passing is a huge blow to me and my entire family.”