A London morgue the place the stays of former Senate President, late Dr Joseph Wayas, is stored, has collected the sum of £6,710, amounting to N13,366,320, from members of his household, earlier than permitting them entry to the physique.
This was disclosed in a report by Justice Maurice Odey Eneji, Chairman of Joe Wayas’ Burial Truth Discovering Committee.
The report is dated 27 February 2024.
The report stated the morgue managers had insisted on the quantity, representing value of upkeep of the physique and common fees for over two years that the physique has been stored there.
The committee, made up of elders within the Cross River northern district, wanted to establish that the physique was obtainable, and what state it was in.
Wayas’ daughter, primarily based in Nottingham, UK, Ms Donna Wayas, and one Mrs Echiko Julie Odey, had been the 2 people who had entry to sight and confirm the state of the physique.
Late Wayas, born 21 Could 1941, died on 30 November 2021 in a london hospital after a lingering illness.
He was Senate President from 1979 to 1983.
Former governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, first managed his well being situation, and when he died, the state authorities launched N200 million for repatriation of the physique and burial.
Nonetheless, quickly after, a household disaster ensued which delayed the funeral.
Within the report dated February 27, Justice Eneji stated the committee has been very proactive, assembly often and is dedicated to making sure that the physique is repatriated for the burial.
Nonetheless, he stated they had been nonetheless in want of an extra £60,478, that’s, N120,934,992, and have launched a passionate attraction in direction of elevating the quantity.
“In keeping with burial committee’s settlement with Ms Donna Wayas, we have to elevate and remit/switch to Donna the sum of £60,478 to offset all excellent indebtedness, inclusive of value of repatriation of the corpse to Nigeria for burial.
“We additionally want to lift and refund the sum of £7,210 paid on our behalf to the morgue managers in London,” Justice Eneji added.
In the meantime, members of the Truth Discovering Committee have agreed that they have to enable each the state authorities and Nationwide Meeting to play their elements.
“Each the state and federal governments might have dedicated funds for this function up to now however he (late Wayas) has not but been buried.
“He’s not in any means chargeable for the circumstances resulting in the delay of his burial, neither does the delay detract from what he was in, and for, Nigeria.
“I feel that now that the complexities surrounding his loss of life and burial have been unravelled, our statesman is entitled to, and ought to be given, the burial that befits his standing by each the federal and state governments.
“I feel that we should always talk formally to them that each one the knots have been loosened and all is now set for the burial as quickly as it’s handy for presidency,” key member of the committee, who didn’t want to be named, stated.
