October 12, (THEWILL) – CourtsA Lagos state High Court sitting in Ikeja has approved October 15 for the burial of the late former Lagos state military administrator, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, instead of the October 16 date fixed by the family.
The court also ordered the Nigerian Navy to fly the remains of the late military officer from its military base in Lagos on Wednesday to Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri for the commencement of the funeral rites.
The presiding judge of the court, Justice Christopher Balogun, gave the orders following the resolution of a suit filed by Chief Gladys Ndubuisi Kanu, the second wife of the former military administrator against some members of her husband’s family.
The late Kanu, a former military administrator of Lagos and Imo states, died in Lagos on January 13 at the age of 77 as a result of COVID-19 complications.
The plaintiff, who is the second wife of the deceased, had filed the suit marked LD/3685FPM/2021 wherein she prayed the court to allow her to participate in the burial rites of her late husband.
She urged the court for an order directing the respondents, their agents or privies, not to threaten her and to allow her properly prepare for the burial earlier slated for Saturday, 16th October, 2021.
The respondents in the suit are Kelly Ndubuisi, Nigerian Navy, Simone Nenna Abiona (nee Kanu), Andrey Joe-Ezigbo, Paul Ndidiamaka Kanu, Karen Johnson (nee Kanu), Jeffery Alozie Kanu, Laura Ndubuisi-Kanu, Stephen Ndubuisi Kanu and Josephine Ndubuisi Kanu.
In his ruling delivered on Monday evening, Justice Balogun held that the family agreed to change the date to Friday, 15th October, 2021, due to security issues and the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention holding on Saturday.
He further held that “The court now by the agreement makes the first order and directs that burial take place on Friday, October 15, 2021, after listening to all the parties, the wife, children and elders.
“That the officials of the Nigerian Navy are to ensure a befitting burial for the rear admiral.
“That the Nigerian Navy is to ensure the body is prepared and protected before the burial and for the burial.
“That the Nigerian Navy shall prepare him in full regalia and shall fly and carry his remains from its military base in Lagos on Wednesday to Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri where the body will be identified by the Ada of the family and proceed to the Imo state government house where the body will be received by the governor and people of Imo state.
“The body shall then be kept intact at the government house Owerri and then moved by the Nigerian Navy to Abia State for the full burial rites.
“It is noted that the respective parties shall be entitled to participate jointly in the burial rites and all traditional rites to be performed.
“All parties are to maintain and keep the peace. The substantive case is now adjourned to for mention on November 15th.”
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