A simmering family dispute in Akure, Ondo State, regarding the death and secret burial of Mrs. Kehinde Hannah Bodunde has escalated into a legal and police matter with the eldest son, Mr. Oluwafemi Ojo, suspecting foul play and a possible ritual motive behind his mother’s death.
Ojo told reporters on Wednesday that his siblings allegedly hid their mother’s whereabouts during her three-year illness and excluded him and other relatives from her care, death, and burial.
He stated that the family was only notified of Mrs. Bodunde’s death on January 13, 2025, raising further questions about the circumstances.
Mrs. Bodunde was reportedly living at a family residence in Afunbiowo, Idanre Road, Akure, before her alleged sudden passing.
Ojo described the situation as “deeply troubling,” accusing his siblings of potential ritual practices and claiming they buried her secretly, possibly after mutilating her remains.
In an attempt to de-escalate the conflict, the Deji-in-Council, Akure’s traditional authority, intervened on April 24, 2025.
They issued directives that First Mercy Hospital should not release the body without the unanimous consent of all children and the maternal family, and that the burial should not occur at their father’s Idanre residence.
However, Ojo claims the burial proceeded despite these royal and legal directives. He added that the matter was brought before the Akure Magistrates’ Court, which issued a formal injunction to prevent the family from removing the body from the mortuary.
“The family later discovered that the corpse had already been buried in secret—allegedly by suspected ritualists—at midnight, before the court order could take effect,” Ojo said.
He further disclosed that the family’s legal representative, Mr. Femi Emodamori, filed a petition to the Fanibi Area Command in Akure on May 6, 2025, alleging theft and ritual mutilation of the late Mrs. Bodunde’s remains.
In a significant development, the court reportedly granted an order for exhumation of the body for forensic investigation.
However, Ojo accused the police of deliberately delaying the enforcement of the court’s order, suggesting the possibility of internal sabotage.
“I fear for my life now,” Ojo declared, “as my siblings have openly threatened to kill me because I have raised these concerns.”
Ojo has implored the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant authorities to ensure transparency and justice, cautioning against any attempts to conceal what he termed a “heinous and sacrilegious” act.
This controversy has captured public attention and ignited broader concerns regarding the enforcement of legal and customary rulings in family disputes, particularly when they involve grave allegations like ritualistic practices and burial rights.
As of press time, the Ondo State Police Command has not yet released an official statement on the matter.
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