Community Rejects Corpse of 23-year Old Over Father’s Inheritance

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

There was confusion on the 26th December (Boxing Day) in Umudim community in Ibughubu, Umuchu in Aguata Local Government of Anambra State when the corpse of a 23-year old Izunna Njirika was rejected and the family was banned from burying him over father’s inheritance.
The late Izunna Njirika died two days in a special home and was brought home to the family by his father, Humphrey to be buried.
To the surprise of the family and sympathizers who followed them from Onitsha to the village for burial, the family gate was under lock and key on the purported instruction from Umudim kindred.
Later the leader of Umudim community, Ichie Meltus Umeh with some of the executives stormed the place and informed the father and sympathizers present that Izunna will not be buried and everybody should go home.
This caused confusion in the area and nearly caused break down of law and order before the family with the support of sympathizers forced their way and eventually buried him after several hours.
Our correspondent gathered that there has been serious fight between two brothers, Humphrey and a grand son Francis over who will inherit the family compound.
The patriarch of the family late Ogbuefi Nwolu Njirika married two wives. His first wife had only a son, Jonas who was married and late now. He also had a son, Francis, before he died while their father, late Ogbuefi Nwolu was still alive.
According to the indigenes, the late Jonas lost the title Diokpara (first born) in the family because he died before his father as such he lost those rights and privileges.
Trouble started when Francis who is based in Lagos felt he had arrived said he wanted to reverse the decision taken according to the Igbo culture and tradition and reclaim the family compound by all means.
He reportedly contacted some people and wanted to accomplished the mission, but he was initially informed by the same Umudim that he had no such right.
According to Ichie Umeh, Francis instructed them to stop the burial and they have come to accomplished his request because there was unresolved issue between Humphrey and Francis over inheritance.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered the matter have been reported to the police who have since commenced investigation into the matter.