The Tribune

A THIRD man linked to a major armed robbery that has become linked to a police probe into corruption is now dead.

Oral Roberts was accused in Novem- ber over a $1.5m robbery of a bank security car at an airport.

The case was remarkable in itself, but a series of voice notes included explosive allegations relating to that incident.

The voice notes appeared to fea- ture a discussion of that robbery, and involved two men, Michael Fox Jr and Dino Smith, who were suspects in that robbery.

The discussion appears to involve a quid-pro-quo arrangement involv- ing the two men, a lawyer and a senior police officer.

After the voice notes became public, Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, the head of the Central Investigations Department, took garden leave while police launched an investigation into the matter.

Michael Fox Jr is now dead. He was shot dead in Fox Hill in May. He pulled up to a residence and was immediately attacked by three masked men in a grey jeep. They opened fire, hitting him mul- tiple times and killing him. Police said Fox Jr was associated with the Outlaws gang.

Dino Smith is now dead. He was shot dead in broad daylight on Prince Charles Drive when a gold Nissan pulled alongside. Three men got out and fired multiple gunshots into Smith’s vehicle, killing him and a female friend, Chatere Wells, who was catching a ride to work with Smith.

Oral Roberts is now dead. Police gave few details at the scene of last night’s murder. He was wearing an ankle bracelet, and his mother last night said that he had begged his lawyer to get the bracelet off his foot. This came after he heard claims on Facebook from the same person who initially released the

voice notes that electronic monitoring information is shared so criminals can be targeted. This claim was made without proof.

His mother, Mizpah, last night said that she believe police killed her son. She said he had feared for his life.

She said police officers who questioned him last week in relation to the corruption probe had warned him not to speak to other officers. She said they told him “if any police car try stop you, don’t stop”.

One suspect from the airport robbery remains to face the courts. Akeil Holmes was charged alongside Oral Roberts in November.

As for the man who shared the voice notes originally on Facebook, he was seemingly targeted by a shooting during a Facebook live, reporting that he suffered injuries. Police in the US later confirmed they had investigated a shooting.

There have been questions as to whether the police force here can investigate itself. There have been questions about the extent to which foreign officers should be involved in the investigation.

There have been suggestions that this investigation merits a full commission of inquiry.

The only evidence that Oral Roberts can give any such investigation is whatever he said to officers before he died.

This investigation was of the utmost seriousness before. It is of huge national significance now.

A commission of inquiry would be completely justified to ensure absolute transparency.

The Prime Minister is returning to the country today after his successful surgery. This should be the top item in his in-tray.

This investigation must have the highest priority – and the public must be kept informed if there is any hope of reassurance. Nothing less will suffice.