Oluwafemi Ojo, the eldest son of the late Mrs. Kehinde Hannah Bodunde, has alleged threats to his life from his siblings following what he described as a suspicious and unauthorized burial of their mother. Speaking in a phone interview from Canada with journalists in Akure, Ojo accused his siblings of isolating their ailing mother from him, their only sister Mrs. Oluwatayo Yetunde, and the larger family for three years.
According to Ojo, the death of their mother was mysteriously announced on January 13, 2025, with her body concealed from the rest of the family. He stated that the Deji in Council had ruled on April 24 that the corpse should not be released by First Mercy Hospital without consensus from him, his sister, and the maternal family. The council also decreed that she should not be buried at their father’s house in Idanre—a directive Ojo claims was ignored.
Sensing foul play, Ojo said he escalated the matter to an Akure Magistrate Court, which issued an order prohibiting the release of the body. Despite this, he alleges that his siblings secretly buried their mother at night, before the court order could be enforced.
“Our family lawyer, Mr. Femi Emodamori, submitted a petition on May 6 to the Area Commander in Akure, citing suspicions of theft and ritual mutilation of my mother’s remains,” Ojo said.
He continued, “As the first son, I am uncertain if my mother’s body was properly buried or if parts are missing. I now fear for my life, as my siblings have threatened to kill me for exposing the suspicious circumstances around her death.”
Ojo added that another court order was later issued, mandating the exhumation of the corpse for investigation. However, he accused the police of delaying compliance with the order. “I sense foul play on the part of the police,” he said, urging transparency in the matter.
In response, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17, AIG Ajani Omolabi, acknowledged receiving the petition and the court documents. He urged the family to maintain peace and allow the legal process to unfold. “Violence, accusations, and agitation will not yield good outcomes,” the AIG stated.
