Alleged stolen corpse reburied in Edo

THE story surrounding the alleged exhumation and stealing of an octogenarian corpse has taken an interesting twist as the body resurfaced on Friday for burial amidst heavy security in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.

It would be recalled that the Zone 5 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police in Benin had over recently told newsmen that they were searching for the corpse of one Pa. Anthony Edebiri, allegedly exhumed and stolen on January 10, 2021, from the deceased’s private residence in Benin.

Our Correspondent observed last Friday that the entrance of Mission Road through Ring Road was blocked by a pickup van with the inscription “Edo State Traffic Management Agency.”

Armed security personnel were seen protecting people who gathered under canopies placed on the busy road in front of the deceased’s compound and those inside his premises at 10 Mission Road, Benin City, on Thursday.

It was further observed that some elderly persons sat round a decorated table inside which portrayed an atmosphere of a lying-in-state.

Discreet checks by our correspondent revealed that the arrangement was that of Pa. Anthony Edebiri’s funeral which was also contained in a burial invitation card obtained by our correspondent.

Investigation further revealed that the corpse of Pa. Anthony Edebiri was being awaited by the gathering.

It was learnt that the deceased’s lone son who lives in the U.S. identified as Mr. Edwin Edebiri was in charge of the funeral.

Attempts by our correspondent to obtain his comments failed as he was said to have led other family members to a mortuary to collect the corpse of his father.

A man who later secured the contact of our reporter assured us that Mr Edwin Edebiri would interface with journalists at a later date.

However, the man who identified himself as a member of Edebiri’s family and preferred anonymity said Pa. Anthony Edebiri’s corpse was never stolen as stated by police in zone 5 headquarters.

He said: “My dear, listen (referring to our Correspondent), I am an insider, it is not true that the corpse was stolen. Papa had 11 children amongst whom is just one male, Edwin who lives in America, others are females, all from nine women.

“When Papa passed on in 2020 during Covid-19, Edwin said the corpse should be kept until he comes to Nigeria after the Coronavirus crisis.

“The girls ganged up and buried the corpse, who does that? In Benin tradition, that is a taboo, it is the male child that buries not females. So to avoid unforeseen consequences, the corpse was exhumed within 24 hours and kept.

“His son, Edwin has come to properly bury his father, as you can see… let zone 5 police come here now….”, the source stated.

Further findings disclosed that Pa. Anthony Edebiri’s corpse was reburied in the early hours of Friday, June 30, 2023.

The corpse was said to have been interred in another of his buildings in the same compound as the one he was earlier buried and from which he was exhumed.

The Nigerian Tribune investigation also revealed the incident has created factions in the family as nine other female children and some relatives of the deceased were absent at the burial, today.

Sources said the deceased’s relative, one Mr. Jolly Edebiri, a retired police officer now based in America stood as the family head (Okaegbe) during the initial burial while Mr. Obakpolor Edebiri, step-brother of Pa. Anthony played Okaegbe’s role at current funeral.

It could not be immediately ascertained if Friday’s development would foreclose police investigation on the issue, just as several phone calls put across to the zonal police spokesman, DSP Tijani Momoh after being informed of the recent developments were not answered.

Recall that the Public Relations Officer, Zone 5, comprising Edo and Delta States police command had told journalists that operatives of the homicide section had commenced intensive search for the corpse of one Pa Anthony Edebiri, 87 exhumed and stolen few hours after it was interred at his private residence in Benin City.

“On the receipt of a petition received from some children of the late Pa Anthony Edebiri, the AIG, Zone 5, Benin City directed men of the homicide section of the Zone to immediately commence investigation.

“Two suspects Ekiuwa Igbe and Kingsley Osagie were invited and interrogated over conspiracy, unlawful exhumation and stealing of the corpse of Anthony Edebiri.

“They denied the allegations, investigation is ongoing”, DSP Tijani said.

In another briefing, the police spokesman said “the brother of the deceased one Mr Obakpolor Edebiri actually admitted that he was contracted to exhume and removed the corpse of his brother, Anthony Edebiri.

“He said he took an oath not to disclose where they took the corpse and that he would die if he say anything about it.

“Mr. Obakpolor is an old man. He was granted bail after interrogation.”

DSP Tijani further explained that investigators had contacted a mortuary in Benin City where the stolen corpse was suspected to be deposited by the grave robbers.

“In their (mortuary authorities) reply, they said the name Pa Anthony Edebiri is not in their records.

“The mortuary also said anyone can come to check the corpses deposited with them for identification as the perpetrators may have lodged the body using a different name”.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the zonal Public Relations Officer told our correspondent that investigators had visited the crime scene (vandalized grave) as they were awaiting legal advice before proceeding with their investigation.