Is There A Cover-Up in Nigerian Footballer Lawal's Death?

CCTV footage that could reveal a lot about what happened on February 24 has been kept away as allegations swirl that a top football administrator is working overtime to ensure the truth never sees light of the day

The death of Nigerian footballer Abubakar Lawal, who fell to his death last month under unclear circumstances, remains shrouded in mystery as investigations appear to have ground to a halt.

Despite an initial pledge by the police to examine CCTV footage and question key witnesses, sources indicate that little progress has been made—and some crucial details may be slipping into silence.

Key to the investigations are allegations that a top Tanzanian footballer was in Entebbe and left the country soon after Lawal's death.

While this line of investigation relies on the speculation that the Taifa Stars player was a lover of Omary Naima, the Tanzanian woman Lawal was meeting in Room 416 of Voicemall Shopping Arcade in Bwebajja, it does not hold as much water as this.

Among the first persons to show up at the scene was a top local football administrator. A source in police has suggested that the possibility that Lawal was pushed to his death from the third floor of the arcade is a key line of investigation to look into.

The first reports about Lawal's death on social media and in the mainstream said the Nigerian forward had perished in a motor accident along Entebbe Road.

However, Kajjansi Police Division later said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Lawal.

Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire told the media that preliminary reports indicated that Lawal had arrived at the mall in his vehicle, registration number UBQ 695G, to meet Naima.

According to Naima, she left Lawal in the room preparing tea and proceeded to a game centre in the mall. Shortly thereafter, at around 8am, Lawal allegedly fell from the balcony.

Lawal was rushed to Entebbe Referral Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are retrieving CCTV footage and conducting thorough interrogations to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” Owoyesigyire said.

But the first signs of a cover-up followed almost immediately after Owoyesigyire's first and only statement with all lines of inquiry into the investigation progress virtually closed down to journalists.

It has been two weeks later and no footage has been reviewed or released, and sources close to the case suggest that police in Kajjansi, where the incident occurred, are keeping all the cards closer to their chest.

The silence has only fuelled speculation, particularly given reports that a top Ugandan football official was among the first people to arrive at the scene. It remains unclear why he was there, what he saw, or whether he has been formally questioned by investigators.

On February 25, Nigerian international Ahmed Musa demanded a proper investigation to reveal the truth of what happened.

"Lawal's soul deserves a thorough investigation and justice must be served if anyone is found guilty," he said.

But Musa will probably feel more frustrated to learn that even the result of the post-mortem - if done - has not been released to the public.

For instance, it would make sense if for an accidental fall the autopsy showed Lawal had consumed alcohol and was inebriated to an extent of losing his sense of balance.

The lack of pressure from the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala only deepens the suspicion that this case will go the way of others before it.

On May 9, 2017, Vincent Onyebuchi desperately attempted to intercept a pass to prevent a Proline striker from extending the lead at Wankulukuku his left leg was crushed.

Onyebuchi’s bones popped out and his career was over.

The Nigerian former Express defender would spend three agonising years relying on Good Samaritans for a living in the ghettos in Kampala after his former employers also gave up on him.

The issue is for any Nigerian to play in the Ugandan Premier League, they must be at such a low level that only death would get them any mention back home.

And only a mention, mark you, for beyond that, Lawal and his relatives are unlikely to expect much from his name.

Lawal joined Vipers in July 2022 and made history by scoring the Venom's first-ever group stage goal in the CAF Champions League in a 1-1 draw against Raja Casablanca in March 2023.

The same year, he helped Vipers win their first ever league and cup double.