A few sympathizers sat by the entrance as if keeping a watch over the family. At the entrance was his framed portrait photograph placed on a small table with a condolence register opened in his name.
With sympathisers still thronging the family residence on Wednesday when our correspondent visited, it was apparent that the family had lost a dear one.
This was the atmosphere at the residence of the late Director of Finance, Ise/Orun Local Government in Ekiti State, Mr. Michael Bamisaye, who was found dead inside a well on Monday.
The circumstance of his death had thrown his family and residents of the Tinuola area into mourning.
Bamisaye committed suicide but the reasons for the action had not been ascertained by the police or disclosed by the family.
He and a few others were sacked by the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in his first term for allegedly failing an examination.
But the Court of Appeal in a judgment ordered their reinstatement saying the grounds on which they were marked for retrenchment was unknown to the law guiding local government civil service.
Their reinstatement was among the first major actions of the incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose, when he assumed office.
The younger brother of the deceased, Cosmas, in a statement made available to our correspondent said the family had left everything to God.
The statement read, “The family of Late Sir Michael Kayode Bamisaye, who until his death was the Director of Finance, Ise-Orun Local Government Area, is greatly saddened over his demise on the 30th of July, 2018.
“We are conscious that the social media and some news outlets have since been awash with a lot of insinuations and half truths that have added to our sorrow as a family.
“Our father and brother, who had always been a role model in his commitment, dedication and discipline in the various aspects of his life, had over time seen himself as one who had failed, even though he had never failed.”
The family told our correspondent that Bamisaye left a note for them but they did not reveal its content.
“He left the family a note that is completely devoid of politics. He was not a politician but always exercised his franchise as a good citizen.
“We therefore rest our case with his Creator who knows all things and to whom we shall individually return.
“We are grateful to families, friends, associates and colleagues that console us at this difficult moment,” the statement added.
Cosmas in a brief chat with our correspondent said the family was shocked by the insinuations of corruption in the social media.
He said, “It is unfortunate, people will always have something to say. What happened then was not peculiar to him. The treasurers and principal officers in all the local government then, except a few people, were sacked and it was not because they committed fraud.
“He and others felt the local government service commission had not issued any query to them and they had not been indicted in any form. They then decided to go to court to challenge the executive order.
“When this government came on board, it decided to reinstate them because they had committed no wrong. Go to all the local governments where he had worked before, you will know he can’t steal.”
Our correspondent gathered that the late Bamisaye started displaying signs of depression a few years ago while he was at the Ekiti West Local Government Area.
A cursory look at the deceased’s residence did not suggest a family living in opulence. The outside of the building was not painted unlike other magnificent houses on the serene street.
The building is on an expansive parcel of land yet to be fully developed, with a gate thrown apart. The building, unlike those of some top government functionaries of Bamisaye’s status, is not fitted with an air conditioner.
One of his former colleagues confided in our correspondent that Bamisaye was a principled man that would never compromise the integrity of his office.
He said the late Bamisaye had, at various times, resisted pressure to raise fictitious vouchers for projects not executed or trips not embarked upon.
He said the deceased’s principle earned him hatred from people who were not comfortable with his hard-line posture against corruption.
The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees in a statement by its Ekiti State President, Bunmi Ajimoko, dispelled insinuations in the social media linking Bamisaye’s death to politics and corruption.
The statement read, “The union frowns on all the disturbing and irresponsible insinuations from different quarters without taking into consideration the mood of the family.
“While we believe that it is only the Almighty who sees and knows all things, we wish to say that Sir Bamisaye could not have been involved in any shady past that would have necessitated the unfortunate action he took.
“For those who knew the deceased very well, he was a highly principled and honest person, who abhorred injustice of any type. For anybody to spread false claims about his deep involvement in the last governorship election smacks of gross irresponsibility. The death of this gentleman should not be an opportunity for anybody to feast on junk news in order to score cheap points.
“The union, therefore, appreciates all the good people who have shown sincere concerns since this unfortunate incident happened and we once again appeal to junk journalists and armchair politicians to respect the memory of our dear colleague and allow the family to mourn in peace.”