The family of Cookey-Gam in Opobo Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State has described as spurious rumour making the round that their son and Managing Director of Renneva Nigeria Limited, Dr. Renny Hearty Cookey committed suicide in his residence in Port Harcourt, recently.
In the same vein, the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has also condemned the purported claims that Dr. Renny Cookey committed suicide in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Renny Hearty Cookey, the first Deputy President of PHCCIMA and a Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, GRA, President-nominee was alleged to have committed suicide in his house located along the East/West Road, Port Harcourt, last Saturday night.
Sources within the area informed The Tide that the deceased body was found dangling with a rope round his neck in his house, an indication that he committed suicide.
The Tide also learnt that Dr. Cookey, who lived alone in the house allegedly left a suicide note for his family.
However, speaking during a meeting with members of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Cookey-Gam family, Captain Mike William said that there was no indication that the deceased killed himself, or had any reason to do so.
He said that he and Don Boham, a former manager with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), rushed to the house on receiving a phone call only to see the body of Dr. Renny Cookey kneeling down with his glasses on and a rope round his neck.
Captain William said that they immediately brought down the body and took it to the mortuary.
He said that the family has enough reason to believe that the suicide story was cooked up to conceal the truth, and urged the Police to carryout proper investigation into it.
Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce has dismissed insinuations that its late First Deputy President, Dr. Renny Hearty Cookey committed suicide at his residence.
During an extra-ordinary emergency meeting held last Wednesday at the PHCCIMA council hall, the chamber President, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu reiterated the position of the organization, saying, “While the exco, council and entire membership of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce grief over the painful loss of our First Deputy President, late Dr. Renny Hearty Cookey, we continue to express shock over preliminary report insinuating that he committed suicide. Consequently, we have come out with our position and vehemently resolve that such allusion is unacceptable, misleading and does not reflect the realities on ground”.
He said the late Renny Cookey was next in line to assume the position of the president of the chamber and has contributed immensely in various capacities, saying “We have associated with him, we are abreast with his ideals and antecedents, and we are very convinced there is no way he would have committed suicide”.
Unachukwu maintained that the late Cookey has worked closely with him, and all through those period, there was never any trace of frustration or extreme depression that should warrant suicide.
While advocating a thorough inquest on the matter, the PHCCIMA helmsman urged the Nigerian Police to carry out proper investigation, and autopsy, among others, to unravel the mystery behind the death.
He said the Police should understand the sensitivity and complex nature of the situation, and ensure they get a proper report.
PHCCIMA President has also constituted a burial committee headed by the Publicity Secretary, Chief Nabil Saleh, and includes members of the economic and membership committee of the chamber.
Among their functions, they are to ensure follow up on police investigation and liaise with the family on the burial arrangement.
The extra-ordinary general meeting, which attracted notable PHCCIMA members, also witnessed shocking accounts from attendees, including one-time PHCCIMA President, Elder Hyke Ochia, immediate past PHCCIMA President, Dr. Vincent Furo, and Chairman of the Cookey Gam House of Opobo Kingdom, Capt. Mike William Cookey – Gam.
While each of the accounts left chilling and terrifying picture , there was staked consensus that the late Renny Hearty Cookey never and would never have contemplated suicide but was murdered.