In what is typically a weird story, one
Clifford Osawaru, has spotted posters carrying his obituary on some
streets in Okunmwun community, Ovia North East local government area of
Edo state.
Osarawu, 66, who is a father of 13 and a hotelier raised an alarm over the incident, expressing shock after he received calls from some of his friends and relatives.
The poster announced that his burial was scheduled for Friday, August 14, 2015 (yesterday), ”after his remains leave the Central Hospital to his residence.”
Punch reports that his eldest daughter’s name was also written on the poster as the announcer of the burial which is against the tradition of the Benin people.
While confirming that he was at loggerheads with some people in his community, Osawaru explained that he was surprised to find out some persons could go as far as announcing his death and burial arrangement while he was still alive.
He, called on the Nigeria Police to unmask the culprits behind the act. He said: “I was made the patron of the community by the Odionwerie and the elders. But some youths abandoned their jobs and focused their minds on selling land with fake papers in our community without the consent of the elders and myself.
“That was why they printed this paper (obituary). Yesterday (Thursday), my relation told me about it and sent me a copy. So, I went to the Area Command to report to the police.”
The police public relations officer of the Edo state police command, DSP Stephen Onwochei, who confirmed the incident, described it as a “case of threat to life.” He however promised that the command would commence investigation into the matter immediately.
“The fellow whose obituary was published in writing, as I speak, has lodged a petition and we have received it and we are investigating that petition thoroughly.
“Suffice it to say that this type of threat to life comes under Section 323 of the Criminal Code which provides what I may call a strict liability offence.
“The investigation shall be carried out and it is my hope that those behind it shall be brought to book. Whatever discrepancies they have, which is not of immediate consideration now, should not be to the extent of going to publish the obituary of a man who is still alive,” he said.
See the poster below:
In a related development, some hoodlums on Amodu Street, in the Idi
Oro, Mushin area of Lagos, two days ago, set a 17-year-old boy, Lekan
Agbaje, on fire and pasted his obituary posters in the community.
Osarawu, 66, who is a father of 13 and a hotelier raised an alarm over the incident, expressing shock after he received calls from some of his friends and relatives.
The poster announced that his burial was scheduled for Friday, August 14, 2015 (yesterday), ”after his remains leave the Central Hospital to his residence.”
Punch reports that his eldest daughter’s name was also written on the poster as the announcer of the burial which is against the tradition of the Benin people.
While confirming that he was at loggerheads with some people in his community, Osawaru explained that he was surprised to find out some persons could go as far as announcing his death and burial arrangement while he was still alive.
He, called on the Nigeria Police to unmask the culprits behind the act. He said: “I was made the patron of the community by the Odionwerie and the elders. But some youths abandoned their jobs and focused their minds on selling land with fake papers in our community without the consent of the elders and myself.
“That was why they printed this paper (obituary). Yesterday (Thursday), my relation told me about it and sent me a copy. So, I went to the Area Command to report to the police.”
The police public relations officer of the Edo state police command, DSP Stephen Onwochei, who confirmed the incident, described it as a “case of threat to life.” He however promised that the command would commence investigation into the matter immediately.
“The fellow whose obituary was published in writing, as I speak, has lodged a petition and we have received it and we are investigating that petition thoroughly.
“Suffice it to say that this type of threat to life comes under Section 323 of the Criminal Code which provides what I may call a strict liability offence.
“The investigation shall be carried out and it is my hope that those behind it shall be brought to book. Whatever discrepancies they have, which is not of immediate consideration now, should not be to the extent of going to publish the obituary of a man who is still alive,” he said.
See the poster below:
Photo Credit: Alexander Okere
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