The remains of Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, the late son of a former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, disappeared in Enugu yesterday during the burial rites.
Ifeanyichukwu, a commissioner during the administration of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, died after a battle with cancer and his burial was scheduled for yesterday. Mourners had thronged the venue, but the burial was not held.
The disagreement followed Nwobodo’s insistence that Ifeanyichukwu’s body must not be buried in his compound, a decision opposed by the deceased’s younger brother, Chukwudi.
A grave that was meant for the internment was dug in a new bungalow, which Nwobodo was said to have built for that purpose after Ifeanyichukwu’s passage.
Ifeanyichukwu, like Chukwudi, was Nwobodo’s child from his estranged wife.
Nwobodo is currently living with his second wife.
Mourners were already seated in church for the burial service at St. Mathew’s Anglican Church, Amechi, Awkunanaw, Enugu, with the choir singing hymns, when it was discovered that the body was not even around.
It was gathered that the deceased’s siblings removed the body from the mortuary to an unknown destination in order to stop him from being buried outside their father’s compound.
It was observed that youths and elders opposed the decision to bury the deceased outside his father’s compound.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; former Imo State Go[myad]vernor, Chief Achike Udenwa, and religious leaders were involved in negotiations to resolve the impasse.
