29th August, 2022
The proprietor of the alleged ritualist den in Benin City, Edo State, Gabriel Chukwu Otu, was neither a certified mortician nor licensed to operate a mortuary, investigation has revealed.
The State Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Investigations, DCP Olawore Oluwole, disclosed this Monday afternoon at a press conference organised by the state government.
The Police Command through its deputy spokesman, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, had in the night of Wednesday, 17 August, 2022, announced the discovery of a ritualist den, where 20 mummified bodies were stacked.
Following controversy that greeted the discovery, the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki gave the State Police Command and other relevant authorities seven days ultimatum to unravel the true situation of the alleged discovery of ritualists’ den.
Announcing an update on Monday, DCP Oluwole said the situation was a case of alleged ritual act and practice.
He noted that during the investigation, the police interfaced with medical personnel, lawyers, members of the public, representatives of Benin Traditional Council (BTC), families of those who deposited corpses and pathologists.
He said: “The prime suspect Gabriel Chukwu Otu is with the police and has made a statement. Investigations revealed that Otu did not acquire formal training but only worked at different mortuaries as a mortuary attendant.
“Otu had no certificate to practice as a mortician or any certification from the traditional board, as well as the ministries of health and environment. The building used is not certified by the Ministry of Health or environment.”
The DCP continued: “In the course of investigations, two suspects, Yusuf Lawal and Victor Obeche were discovered to be scavengers and a passers-by. Twenty-three mummified bodies and one dismembered body without a skull suggest an unlawful possession.
“A person said his mother was among the mummified bodies while another said his mother and child were reportedly missing in February this year, and would like to see the corpses to lay claim to them.
“In the course of our investigation, no fresh corpse was found but some shrines were found at the premises of the alleged ritual den. The shrine with the dismembered body at the site connotes a message.”
Oluwole, however, appealed to Edo people to remain calm while investigation into the incident continued.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has given all mortuary operators in the state till 30 September, 2022, to tender evidence of registration of their business premises.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, disclosed this at the press briefing.
She said: “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 Directorate of Regulation and Monitoring at the Ministry of Health with evidence of due registration latest by 30th of September, 2022, if they are duly registered.
“However, for those who are not duly registered, we are giving them till the close of business on the 9th of September, 2022, to come to the Ministry to get from us the basic requirements for the operation of mortuaries and embalmment homes in the state.”