66-year-old man sights own obituary posters in Benin
A 66-year-old man, Mr. Clifford Osawaru, has raised the alarm
over posters carrying his obituary on some streets in Okunmwun
community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo
State.
The hotelier and father of 13, said he was shocked to spot his
obituary on Thursday after he received phone calls from some of
his relatives and friends who called to confirm the
“announcement”.
A copy of the obituary poster, which was made available to our
correspondent, revealed that his “burial” was scheduled for
August 14, 2015 after his “remains” leaves the Central Hospital
to his residence.
It, however, had the name of his eldest daughter as the
announcer, as against the Benin tradition and did not have the
contact of the printer.
Osawaru explained that although he had been at loggerheads
with some members of the community over the illegal sale of
land after he was made the patron, he was surprised to find out
some persons could announce his death and burial arrangement
while he was still hale and hearty.
He alleged that the unidentified persons had engaged in the
unlawful sale of land without the consent of the elders,but had
been restrained by a court order before he was later informed
that his obituary posters had been pasted on the streets.
He, therefore, 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.
“So, the
Odionwerie and I
went to court and restrained them from selling land. Then they
said that I was the one behind it (preventing them from selling
the land).
“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, DSP Stephen Onwochei, who
confirmed the incident, described it as a “case of threat to life.”
Onwochei, however, assured that the command would
commence investigation into the matter.
“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.
Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital
content on this website, may not be reproduced, published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior
express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
over posters carrying his obituary on some streets in Okunmwun
community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo
State.
The hotelier and father of 13, said he was shocked to spot his
obituary on Thursday after he received phone calls from some of
his relatives and friends who called to confirm the
“announcement”.
A copy of the obituary poster, which was made available to our
correspondent, revealed that his “burial” was scheduled for
August 14, 2015 after his “remains” leaves the Central Hospital
to his residence.
It, however, had the name of his eldest daughter as the
announcer, as against the Benin tradition and did not have the
contact of the printer.
Osawaru explained that although he had been at loggerheads
with some members of the community over the illegal sale of
land after he was made the patron, he was surprised to find out
some persons could announce his death and burial arrangement
while he was still hale and hearty.
He alleged that the unidentified persons had engaged in the
unlawful sale of land without the consent of the elders,but had
been restrained by a court order before he was later informed
that his obituary posters had been pasted on the streets.
He, therefore, 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.
“So, the
Odionwerie and I
went to court and restrained them from selling land. Then they
said that I was the one behind it (preventing them from selling
the land).
“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, DSP Stephen Onwochei, who
confirmed the incident, described it as a “case of threat to life.”
Onwochei, however, assured that the command would
commence investigation into the matter.
“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.
Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital
content on this website, may not be reproduced, published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior
express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
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