Grace Omachoko
…seeks government’s assistance
27 out of 28 children of a renowned entrepreneur in Igbara Odo-Ekiti, Ekiti Southwest Local Government have raised alarm over an attempt by their eldest brother, Segun Olowofela to exhume the body of their late father for ritual purpose.
Segun Olowofela, an America returnee had dug a new grave and made attempt to secretly exhume the corpse of his father buried 20years ago without the consent of other family members but luck ran out of him.
The family members who got wind of the information quickly made necessary arrangements to stop the secret move.
They wondered what could have prompted a 79 year old man to return from the United States of America just to unilaterally exhume the corpse of his father who was buried over twenty years ago.
The late Rueben Adebayo Olowofela who was the Baba Egbe of Anglican Church, Igbara Odo Ekiti had eight wives and twenty eight children before his demise in which the America returnee is one of them.
Speaking with Journalists on behalf of the other children, the second born of the family, Mr Kolawole Olowofela said the family is totally against the relocation of the corpse by their brother, saying he did not consult anyone before making such move.
According to Mr. Kolawole Olowofela, the action of his brother is suspicious hence he called on government, security agencies, traditional ruler of the town and other concerned individuals to come to their aid to stop the radical brother from having his evil way.
Also in their reactions, Kola Olowofela, Tunji Olowofela, Gbenga Olowofela, Kayode Olowofela noted that their brother was part of the burial arrangements 20years ago when the decision to bury their father in the church cemetery was reached, wondering why he suddenly decided to exhume the dead body twenty years after.
They accused his him of trying to use the body of their father for ritual purposes which is known to him a lone.
In an interview the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Edward Jayeola said the action of the America returnee negates social and moral principles, hence he urged him to rescind his decision and resolve with his siblings.
Oba Edward Jayeola noted that the late Olowofela was a prominent indigene of the town whose impact can not be quantified, noting that he should not be humiliated after death.
The case has been reported at the police station at Igbara Odo Ekiti and Ilawe for prompt action.
Efforts to speak with the America returnee was not successful as he was not at home as at the time of visit and his line was not going through.