Clifford Nwa Orji (1965 or 1966 – August 17, 2012)[1] was a Nigerian alleged cannibal. He was also indicted in serial killings, kidnappings, and sale of human body parts.[2] Orji was arrested in 1999 and died in Nigeria's only super-maximum penitentiary, where he spent 13 years without being tried.[1]
Biography
editHe was initially a razor-blade merchant but later proclaimed himself a shaman, a "native doctor Chinneyelu".[2] He lived under a highway bridge in Oshodi-Isolo, reportedly pretending to be mentally ill.[3][4][5]
Arrest and confession
editOrji was arrested on February 3, 1999, after a missing woman was discovered near death at his home under the bridge. Fresh and cooked human body parts and human skulls were also discovered. He was arraigned at a Magistrate court in Ebute-Meta.[6] After his arrest, a thorough search of his hideout was made, which also revealed female underwear,[1][4] a cheque for ₦80,000, and a mobile phone, at a time when the G.S.M. had not been fully introduced to the Nigerian market, so only wealthy people had mobile phones.[6] A man accused of being his accomplice in trading human body parts was also arrested.[2]
At a news conference organized by the police, Orji confessed to kidnapping, murder and cannibalism, saying that he and his accomplice "[had] been eating human meat for the past seven years before coming to Lagos. It is our culture to eat human meat."[2] On December 7, 2000, he was remanded for murder in Kirikiri Prison, which is Nigeria's only supermax prison.[7]
Death
editIn April 2012, after approximately 12 years in prison without his case coming to trial, Orji sued the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye, for unlawful imprisonment.[7] Prison authorities stated that they had been unable to have him treated for mental illness, which had progressed and he could not be tried when insane.[8][9] He died at the age of 46 on August 17, 2012.[1][9][10] An autopsy established that his death was from natural causes.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Esene, Isi (2012-08-19). "Alleged man-eater, Clifford Orji, dies in prison after 13 years without trial". YNaija. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ a b c d Oshunrinade, Oludotun. "Crime: The Life And Times of Clifford Orji, Nigeria's First Known Cannibal". Buzznews. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ Olatunji, Kehinde (2019-08-19). "Clifford Orji enclave still criminals' haven in Oshodi". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ a b Adegboyega, Tunji (2017-08-12). "Ritualists' dens". The Nation. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ "Rituals, money and murder: Bizarre things people do for wealth". The Nation. 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ a b Dickson, Prince Charles (2012-09-09). "Don't You Know Clifford Orji, The Mad Man...?". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ a b "Court dismisses Clifford Orji's N1m suit". Premium Times. 2012-10-04. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ Usman, Evelyn (2012-04-13). "Alleged man-eater, Clifford Orji, goes mad in prison". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ a b Badejo, Abiodun (2012-08-20). "Clifford Orji was totally mad before he died - Prison Authorities". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ "Cause of Clifford Orji's death under investigation". Vanguard News. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
- ^ "'Clifford Orji's Family Never Visited Him'". Legit.ng. 2013-03-02. Archived from the original on 2020-11-13.