Mortuary operator was unlicensed, say police on mummified corpses in Edo

The Edo state police command says the operator of the mortuary where mummified corpses were discovered in the state did not get licence from the appropriate authorities.

On August 17, the police announced that it had uncovered a suspected shrine along Asoro slope, off Ekenhuan road, in Uzebu quarters, Benin.

Jennifer Iwegbu, Edo police command deputy public relations officer, said 20 mummified bodies were recovered at the shrine.

The discovery of the mummified corpses at the building elicited varied reactions as some residents suggested that the building was being used by traditional mortuary operators while others said it was the den of ritualists.

Giving an update on the incident, Olawore Oluwole, officer in charge of the Edo police command criminal investigation department, in a press conference on Monday, said the command had carried out its investigation and engaged with lawyers, members of the public, medical personnel, families of those who deposited corpses and pathologist.

Oluwole said the command discovered that the principal suspect in the case identified as Gabriel Otu did not acquire any formal training to manage a mortuary, but had worked as an attendant in different mortuaries.

“The principal suspect didn’t acquire formal training but only worked at different mortuaries as a mortuary attendant. That the principal suspect – Gabriel Otu – had no certificate to practice as a mortician or any certification from the traditional board, ministry of health, ministry of environment, or any other appropriate certification,” the officer said.

“The building utilised by Gabriel Otu was not certified nor approved by the ministry of health or environment. Other facts revealed include that the mortuary is not a layout for trado-medical institution.

“As part of our findings, 23 mummified corpses as well as a dismembered mummified body without a skull, were found, which depict or suggest as an unlawful possession, which vitiates section 329 of the criminal code

“Similarly, there were sacrilegious effigies that were found at the scene; some were inside while others were outside. These structures depict criminal charms in his possession and this again vitiates section 213 of the criminal code.

“Also, on visit to scene, some specimens were extracted, which have been sent to forensic laboratory for further analysis.”

‘EDO ISSUES ULTIMATUM FOR MORTUARY OPERATORS TO REGISTER’

Also speaking during the press conference, Obehi Akoria, Edo commissioner of health, said mortuary operators in the state operating without licences should register with the state government for approval before September 9.

“The Edo state ministry of health is using this opportunity to reach out to all persons who own or operate mortuaries or embalmment homes to come to the ministry of health, directorate of regulation and monitoring, with evidence of due registration if they are duly registered latest by September 30,” she said.

“However, for those who are not duly registered, we are giving till the close of business on September 9, for them to present themselves to the ministry of health, where we will give them the basic requirements for operation of mortuaries or embalmment homes in the state.”