Rita Odafe
The remains of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju are scheduled to arrive back in Nigeria next week, as confirmed by the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC). This announcement follows over two months of legal, diplomatic, and logistical efforts to bring his body back from Ghana.
NBBofC president Rafiu Ladipo affirmed that the long-anticipated return of Olanrewaju’s remains is nearly complete, following extensive discussions between the Nigerian and Ghanaian governments.
“I assure you, by next week at the latest, the body will be returned. The exact day is still uncertain,” stated Ladipo.
Ladipo elaborated on the significant efforts made by Nigerian officials to ensure that Olanrewaju receives a respectful return, marking the conclusion of a lengthy and emotionally taxing ordeal for his family and the Nigerian boxing fraternity.
Olanrewaju, affectionately known as “Success,” tragically collapsed in the ring during a match against Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu on March 29 at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Bukoum, Accra, and was later declared dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The news of his passing sparked widespread sorrow across Nigeria and led to heightened scrutiny regarding safety measures in Ghana’s boxing industry, culminating in investigations that uncovered significant regulatory shortfalls by the Ghana Boxing Authority.
The hold-up in repatriating the boxer’s body was primarily due to legal protocols that needed to be met considering the circumstances surrounding his death. Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, previously clarified that a coroner’s report was necessary before proceedings for body repatriation could begin.
“The body was not held for arbitrary reasons. Given how he died, the coroner’s act was invoked, and the coroner’s findings were essential for moving forward with the burial or repatriation process,” Adams explained to The PUNCH in May.
“That report delayed our investigative committee’s work, but it has finally been submitted, allowing the Ghana and Nigerian boxing authorities to proceed with repatriating the deceased boxer’s remains.”
A government-established seven-member committee, led by Ambassador Major (retd.) Amarkai Amarteifio, conducted a thorough investigation into Olanrewaju’s untimely death, interviewing 30 witnesses related to the incident and producing a comprehensive 100-page report.
The investigation revealed that pathological assessments discovered existing cardiovascular issues, which contributed to the circumstances of his demise. Veteran journalist and boxing analyst Ekow Asmah, a member of the investigative committee, noted that the athlete had an enlarged heart, a condition not uncommon among sportspeople.
“The pathologist was able to provide specific details about the boxer’s death, revealing that he had a pre-existing condition – an enlarged heart typical in many athletes – but the exact trigger for that condition remains undetermined despite comprehensive scientific tests,” Asmah remarked.
More troubling were the committee’s findings concerning the Ghana Boxing Authority’s management of the event and adherence to fundamental safety protocols. The investigation indicated that the GBA was functioning without necessary licensing and had failed to ensure adequate medical support was present at the match.
“The GBA lacked a licensed medical practitioner. Without a doctor, a match should not occur. Segun Olanrewaju had not undergone the required medical evaluations prior to the bout,” Asmah disclosed.
“The GBA had no qualified doctor when Segun collapsed. The individual in the ring wearing a lab coat was not a doctor; he was clearly posing as one.”
The committee has recommended that Ghana take full responsibility for returning Olanrewaju’s remains to Nigeria and cover all related funeral costs, highlighting Ghana’s dedication to solidarity and respect for African unity. Additionally, the NBBofC has requested that a copy of the investigative report be forwarded to Nigeria.
