Tragedy Strikes Cocoa House: 22-Year-Old ABUAD Graduate Dies in Fall,Family Alleges Negligence

IBADAN, OYO STATE – A pall of grief has settled over Ibadan following the tragic death of 22-year-old Feranmi Akin-Akinye, who fell from the 26th floor of the iconic Cocoa House building on Monday and was laid to rest yesterday, Tuesday, by his church, Winners Chapel. The incident has sparked outrage, with the deceased’s family reportedly considering legal action against the company where Akin-Akinye was undergoing a cybersecurity training program, alleging gross negligence.

Akin-Akinye, a recent graduate of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), was reportedly undergoing cybersecurity training with a company situated on the eighth floor of the imposing 26-storey structure, which stands at approximately 105 meters (344 feet) tall. Initial reports from eyewitnesses suggest a terrifying scene, with one person describing it as initially thinking a large bird was falling before realizing it was a human being.

A close neighbor of the deceased, who requested anonymity, painted a distressing picture of the events leading to Akin-Akinye’s death.

According to the neighbor, the young man, known for his humility and respectful demeanor, was allegedly instructed by the company to mount a large wall banner at the top of the Cocoa House. This task, the neighbor emphasized, is typically carried out by experienced professionals equipped with specialized tools and machinery.

“I blame the company for his death,” the neighbor stated unequivocally. “He came from a good home, he 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.”

Further compounding the tragedy, the neighbor accused the company of attempting to downplay the incident. “They said he was taken to the emergency ward even though he had already died.

ADVERTISEMENT

His mother wasn’t even contacted by the company; it was a random person who called her,” the source claimed. Efforts by 32 FM, a radio station operating within Cocoa House, to photograph the scene were reportedly thwarted, and Akin-Akinye’s body was swiftly covered with a cloth. The neighbor also recounted hearing that the body was “badly mangled.”

While official statements from the company involved are yet to be made public, The Nation newspaper reported that Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the firm managing Cocoa House, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. Victor Ayetoro, Head of Branding and Communication for Odu’a Investment Company, stated that the individual was “swiftly attended to by the emergency response team and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent medical attention.”

However, other reliable sources suggest that Akin-Akinye died immediately upon impact.

Feranmi Akin-Akinye, who resided with his mother in the Meridian area of Apata, Ibadan, while his father is reportedly based in the United States, was laid to rest on Tuesday by Winners Chapel. The family, particularly his father’s siblings, are said to be exploring legal avenues and considering a lawsuit against the company for alleged negligence leading to this heartbreaking loss.

The incident has raised serious questions about workplace safety protocols, particularly for trainees, and the responsibilities of companies to ensure the well-being of all individuals on their premises. Investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding Feranmi Akin-Akinye’s fall are ongoing.