A government-appointed committee tasked with investigating the death of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju has recommended that Ghana should assume full responsibility for the repatriation of his remains to Nigeria, as well as cover all funeral and burial expenses.
The recommendation was contained in a detailed 100-page report submitted to Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, following weeks of inquiry as the committee interviewed 30 individuals connected to the case.
Olanrewaju, popularly known as ‘Success’, collapsed during a bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena at Bukoum on March 29 and was later pronounced dead at the Korle-Bu Hospital.
Presenting their findings to the Sports Minister, the committee’s recommendation underscores Ghana’s commitment to solidarity and respect for African unity, particularly in honouring a sportsman who contributed to the development of boxing in the region.
“Segun Olanrewaju was not just a visiting athlete. He was part of our boxing family here in Ghana. His untimely passing is a loss to the entire West African boxing community,” a committee spokesperson said.
The report is expected to guide the government’s next steps, including coordinating with Nigerian authorities and Olanrewaju’s family for the repatriation and funeral arrangements.
However, the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, has strongly criticised the Ghana Boxing Authority and the Ghanaian government for what he describes as an unacceptable delay in the repatriation of the boxer’s body.
Ladipo expressed deep concern that the late boxer’s remains have been held in Ghana for almost two months, causing immense distress to his grieving family.
“It is the responsibility of the GBA and the Ghana government to repatriate the boxer’s body to Nigeria,” he said.
“How can you keep a Nigerian boxer’s body in Ghana for two months?”
The NBBofC president also revealed that tensions have risen to the point where Olanrewaju’s family had planned a protest in Germany, targeting Ghana’s embassy there.
“I stopped a protest that was going to be held yesterday in Germany by Segun Olanrewaju’s family members. They were going to protest at the Ghana Embassy in Germany over the delay in releasing his body,” Ladipo said.
Nigerian boxers have also expressed outrage over the continued delay in repatriating the remains.
The seven-member committee, chaired by Ambassador Major (retd.) Amarkai Amarteifio, was inaugurated on April 8 and completed its work within the stipulated 21-day ultimatum.
Receiving the report, Hon Kofi Adams noted that the Ministry would look into the report and its recommendations and make it public after studying to help the boxing industry and to prevent such occurrences in the future.
In an earlier interview with Sunday PUNCH, Olanrewaju’s distraught mother had said, “It’s been painful, I have not been able to bury him and my tears haven’t stopped since I have been waiting to see his body.”
Earlier this month, Olanrewaju received a posthumous Ultimate Sacrifice Award at Nigeria’s first boxing awards ceremony held at the National Institute for Sports Conference Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
