A MAN whose brother was killed is meeting with police chiefs in a bid to reopen the case.
Michael Abatan will meet Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne as he rallies for support in his campaign for justice.
His brother, Jay Abatan, was attacked outside a Brighton nightclub in January 1999.
The 42-year-old tax specialist, from Eastbourne, was assaulted while waiting for a taxi outside the now closed Ocean Rooms while on a night out with his brother.
The father of two, who worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, hit his head on the pavement and suffered a fractured skull, dying later in hospital.
Mr Abatan feels justice has not been done. He is calling for a new public inquiry into the case and wants to take up the issue with the Home Secretary.
Mr Abatan, who leads the Justice For Jay Campaign, is upset after hearing that a police officer was at the nightclub that evening.
Detective Superintendent Nick May said: “There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that a serving police officer was among his attackers. The initial investigation into Mr Abatan’s death has been subject to considerable, well-documented scrutiny.
“Its shortcomings, for which former chief constable Joe Edwards personally apologised to Jay’s family in 2005, were highlighted in an independent review that resulted in the second investigation and review. At their request, the family were provided with a detailed account of this investigation.
“There has never been any suggestion by the independent reviews or the coroner of institutional racism.”
The force has completely updated and reorganised the way it investigates both major crime and critical incidents since 1999, Mr May said.
He added: “Significant changes to our investigative practices include a dedicated major crime team, accredited senior investigating officers and trained family liaison officers.
“Sussex Police has accepted that mistakes were made during the initial investigation into the unlawful killing of Jay Abatan, and regret that nobody has yet been convicted of this cowardly attack, even though two men were charged in connection with it.”
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