The family of George Okwudili Nkencho, a Nigerian who was killed under questionable circumstances in Ireland, has said it will appeal the decision of the country’s director of public prosecutions (DPP) not to prosecute the police officers responsible for his death.

According to the Irish Independent, the police officers responsible for Nkencho’s fatal shooting were informed on Wednesday that they would not face criminal prosecution.

Nkencho, 27, was shot dead on December 30, 2020, on the porch of his home in Dublin, following a stand-off with the police officers. He was said to have wielded a knife during the period.

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Nkencho was shot five times, twice in the back.

He was said to be suffering from a mental illness at the time.

“The Nkencho family are disappointed with the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute members of An Garda Siochana involved in the shooting dead of their son and brother George,” said Phelim O’Neill, Nkencho’s family lawyer, in a statement.

“The family intend to appeal this decision and, in the circumstances, will not be making any further statements until this process has been concluded.”

Two officers were said to have been involved in the shooting. This included the officer who discharged his firearm five times and his colleague, who was also present at the scene.

Some of Nkencho’s siblings were said to have witnessed the shooting, as they were at the front door when the officer opened fire on their brother.

Gloria, the deceased’s sister, had made an appeal to the officers, stating that she could help manage the situation. She also made them understand that her brother was suffering from a mental illness.

She was, however, asked by the police officers to leave the scene and retreat into their apartment.

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Nkencho’s death led to a series of protests between 2020 and 2021, forcing Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) chairman, to appeal to the Nigerian community in Ireland for calm.

In Ireland, the incident has continued to generate a lot of debate about how the police officers responded to the case and how they ought to have dealt with a matter involving mental illness.