THE immediate family members of the late president of Okuama community, have appealed to the state Governor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Army to release the corpse of Pa James Oghoroko who died in military detention.
The family in a sober tune while speaking to newsmen at the home of the late James Oghoroko in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State held that it would be a taboo if the corpse of their breadwinner is not properly laid to rest according to the Urhobo custom and tradition.
Speaking, wife of the deceased, Mrs Julie Oghoroko said, “My husband was arrested alongside other on August 24, 2024 and after some months we got the information that he died in military detention.
“We have become subject of mockery in the community that our husband died in military detention and his corpse has not be released for proper burial rite.
“I am pleading with the state Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the Nigerian Army to release the corpse for a proper burial rite for us to be free.” She appealed.
The eldest son of the deceased, Mr Julius Ovigue Oghoroko said, My father was arrested in August 2024 and on December 4, 2024, we were informed of his death in military detention.
“Since then, the military has refused to release his corpse despite holding several meetings that has been held between the family State Government and the other stakeholders.
“The corpse of our father is with the military for a year and ten days today if truly he is dead for a crime he never committed.
“Another man in custody of the military is his tenant, Mr Dennis Malaka who is from Isoko.
“The other leaders of Okuama that are still being detained are, Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Ahwemuria, Mrs Mabel Ohwemu.
“We are appealing to Delta State Governor, the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU and other notable Nigerians to prevail on the army to release the corpse of my late father, and other detained Okuama leaders.”
“I want to commend the effort of the state Governor,Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and other relevant authorities that have taken time to ensure that those arrested are released, we are not taking that for granted.”Ovigue disclosed.
“The arrest and death of my father is telling hard on us the immediate family and if truly he is dead, the army should give us his corpse for proper burial and if he is not dead he should be released alongside other leaders.” Ambrose Oghoroko said.
Pa James Oghoroko daughter, Oghenerukevwe said, “My dad was arrested two after I graduated from school and it is painful that he is not with us today and his absence is having negative effect on us his family members.
“We want to give him a befitting burial in accordance with the Urhobo custom in to avoid the current mockery we facing.” Oghenerukevwe lamented.
