Court Orders Navy To Release Late Kanu’s Body To Imo Governor
Justice Christopher Balogun of a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has ordered the Nigerian Navy to be in possession of the body of late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu from Lagos to Imo State where the final phase of his burial activities will begin tomorrow.
The judge gave the order after six hours proceeding of hearing grievances between the deceased wife, Chief Gladys Ndubuisi Kanu, and the children.
Nigerian Navy was directed not to release the body of the late former governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu to anybody in Lagos.
According to the judge, once there is a contention, it means an interloper can kidnap the body, noting that the court is bound to make an order to safeguard the deceased body.
Read Also:Â Lagos High Court Holds Valedictory Session in Honour of Chief Babatunde Benson
The judge therefore directed the Navy to make arrangements for the transportations of the body from Ojo Cantonment morgue to Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja and fly the body to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, where it will be identify by the first daughter, ‘Ada’ and received by Imo State Government before taking to his country home, Ohoroho Ovim.
“The Navy will fly the body of the deceased. I will not allow anybody to to disintegrate the body of the ex governor. We are not going to loose that body. It must not be kidnapped.
“When the body get to Owerri, Imo State, the government official will then receive the body.”
Also Read:Â Lagos Governor, Sanwo-Olu Amend ACJL 2011 To Checkmate Police Harassment
He also ordered that all respected parties shall be entitled to partake in the burial as required by the customs.
After asking all parties to maintain peace during the burial programs, the court adjourned the substantive case till November 15, 2021 for mention.
The deceased wife, Chief Gladys Ndubuisi Kanu instituted the charges against the children and family to allow her partake in the funeral rites.
There was a mild drama in court over the Igbo tradition regarding who followed the body from Mortuary in Ojo Lagos. It took the judge hours to listen to each of the party grievances.