The body of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju, who died during a bout with Jon Mbanugu in Ghana in March, will arrive in Nigeria next week for burial.
Olanrewaju collapsed in the ring just a few minutes into the clash with the Ghanaian boxer at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on March 29.
He was confirmed dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and questions were asked about the circumstances surrounding his demise, with the Ghanaian Boxing Council vowing to carry out an investigation.
However, after two months of accusations and counter-accusations, Olanrewaju’s remains are expected to arrive in Nigeria next week, according to the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Rafiu Ladipo.
He also confirmed that the Boxing Board collaborated with the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana and the Ghanaian Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure everything is in order for his repatriation.
Ladipo said, “I can assure you, at the latest, next week, the body will be brought back. I don’t know what particular day.
“The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control has been doing so much to bring Segun’s corpse.
“There are certain documents that they needed before they can bring it… I personally went to the Ministry of Health in Lagos, and we have been able to get their approval and permit from the Federal Ministry of Health that the body should be brought back home.”
Ladipo also accused the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) of negligence before approving the fight that led to Olanrewaju’s death.
He said: “After the fight, we accused the Ghana Boxing Authority of negligence… The drug screening, the weighing, and the pre-fight medical were not done for him.
“They just sent him to go and fight. This is never done.”
“I showed them the video of what we normally do in Nigeria… You must conduct what is called pre-fight checks — check his lungs, heartbeat, eyes, nose, and so on. If you don’t do it, how are you sure that the guy is fit?”
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, also confirmed that Olanrewaju’s body will soon arrive in Nigeria following the conclusion of legal protocols.
He said, “The body was not detained for no reason. The Coroner’s Act was invoked, and the report was needed to carry on with the evacuation process.
“Once they confirm the arrangements, we are ready to assist in any way possible.”
Ladipo also confirmed that the boxing board has finalised plans for a befitting burial for Olanrewaju and compensation from Ghana.
He said, “They must come and give us adequate information so that from our end here, we will do what is called the memorable lap of honour.
“We don’t want a situation where we take the body again to another mortuary in Nigeria. Let them tell us when they are bringing the corpse so that we can make adequate arrangements for receipt and burial.
“Of course, everything to Ghana — they are trying to compensate. We don’t know how much they will pay. Even if the fight purse is there to be paid, we have requested.”
Olanrewaju was born in Lagos and had 23 professional fights, winning 13, with 12 victories coming by knockout.
