When Alem Abay returned to his central London flat 30th June 1990, he expected to find his younger brother Mogous relaxing. Instead, he was confronted by a scribbled note from the police informing him that his brother was dead. (1)
The police version of events contends that Mogous Abay committed suicide by jumping out of the fourth-floor window, expiring in a pool of blood soon after he hit the ground. However, reported witness accounts not only say there was no blood on or around his body, he may already have been dead before he fell. (2) The investigation worryingly inadequate. Police carried out no forensic tests on the window from which Mogous is said to have jumped. Then at the inquest none of the paramedics who attended the scene, the neighbours who saw the body, the duty doctor who certified the cause death might been cardiac arrest, the doctor in charge of the case or the duty nurse were called to give evidence. (3) The unusually short inquest (fifteen minutes) returned an open verdict, meaning that the cause of death was inconclusive. (4)
The suspicious nature of the case compelled Bro. Alem, who along with his brother were asylum seekers from Ethiopia, to fight for the truth about his brother’s death ever since. In 1993 Abay decided to challenge the verdict by applying for a judicial review for the inquest to be re-opened. Unfortunately, two years later the Legal Aid Board refused to support his application to take the case to the High Court. (5)
But the fight continues, in spite of state intransigence. For example, Freedom Of Information requests about the case have been refused by the Metropolitan Police. (6). Nevertheless, in 2017 The Justice for Mogous campaign presented a petition to 10 Downing Street of almost 12,000 signatures. Those supporting the campaign have raised issues like mistaken identity and allegations of corruption on the east London borough of Tower Hamlets. (7) The campaign demands are:
- The Attorney General to agree to an application to the high court for the inquest verdict to be quashed and for an order directing a coroner in the same administrative area to hold a fresh inquest in Mogous Abay’s death.
- For legal aid to be restored in order to permit proper legal representation. (8)
Of the campaign Bro. Alem says:
“I have not slept properly for the past 30 years but God has given me the strength to continue. We have supplied the committee with new evidence and we hope that it will go some way to at last achieving justice for my brother.” (9)
April 2021, a breakthrough of sorts came when it was reported that the Greater London Authority, was to begin an inquiry into the police’s handling of the case via its police and crimes committee. (10) Almost two years on we are still awaiting the inquiries outcome.
(1) Africa Briefing (28/04/21) UK launches probe into Ethiopian’s jump death puzzle. https://africabriefing.com/uk-launches-probe-into-ethiopians-jump-death-puzzle/
(2) Indymedia (IMC) UK (27/04/12) Justice For Mogous Abay. https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/04/495507.html
(3) Ibid
(4) Africa Briefing. Op. cit.
(5) Indymedia (IMC) UK. Op. cit.
(6) K.Gallagher (15/01/17) Mogous Abay. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/mogous_abay
(7) Andy Erlam (07/10/20) Campaigners demand investigation into cover-up https://justice4mogous.blogspot.com/2020/10/campaigners-demand-investigation-into.html
(8) Indymedia (IMC) UK. Op. cit.
(9) Africa Briefing. Op. cit.
(10) Ibid.
we ask the question:
Who was Mogous Abay and how did he die?
1) Why does this case have all the hallmarks of a cover-up?
2) Why are the police refusing FOI requests?
3) What is the role of Tower Hamlets council?
4) When will the GLA inquiry conclude and what will it reveal?
5) How can YOU support the campaign?
Our Special Guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Bro. Alem-Seged Abey: is the older brother of Mogous Abay and is leading the Justice for Mogous campaign (https://justice4mogous.blogspot.com/2020/06/mogous-story.html
*******
SIGN: Justice for children wrongly classified as ESN: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/631043
SIGN: Stop Anti African racism in Tunisia – https://chng.it/5MVRbCD2sn