As Friday burial day of Real Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Retd) in Ovim, Isukwuato LGA of Abia State approaches, a suit by one his wives is posing a challenge to the burial.
This is even as an Elder of Ovim, the ex-Governor’s hometown, Comrade Onyedika Benson-Gideon has called for amicable settlement of the family feud before the burial date, to save the event from any embarrassment.
Comrade Gideon who spoke to News Echo at Ovim, said the elder statesman “deserves honour in death, not embarrassment” and called for unity and love among his family members.
Ndubuisi Kanu is the former military Governor of Lagos and Imo States and is slated for burial on Friday, this week, according to plans by his family.
But one of his wives, Mrs. Gladys Kanu filed a suit at Ikeja High Court against her co-wife, Josephine-Ndubuisi Kanu, the Nigerian Navy and others.
In the suit before Justice Christopher Balogun, Mrs Gladys, is the plaintiff while the respondents are: Kelly Kanu, Nigerian Navy, Simone Abiona (nee Kanu), Andrey Joe-Ezigbo(nee Kanu), Paul Ndidiamaka Kanu, Karen Johnson(nee Kanu), Jeffery Kanu, Laura Kanu, Stephen Kanu while Josephine-Ndubuisi Kanu, the co-wife to the plaintiff, is also a respondent.
In the suit, Gladys Kanu asked the Court to direct that she be properly allowed to prepare for October 15 burial. She also prayed the Court to restrain the respondents, their agents or privileged privies from threatening her.
Justice Balogun, who heard the case, on October 7, 2021, ordered the Nigerian Navy not to release the corpse of the Rear Admiral to the family for burial until the Court ruled otherwise.
The Judge who has so far explained the order, said it was to protect the body of the deceased from being tampered with in a family squabble.
Nevertheless, the Ovim, the home of military officers is bubbling for the burial as the community prepares to welcome high-profile guests for the burial. A visit to the town on Tuesday showed that preparations have reached advanced stage, irrespective of the Court case in Ikeja High Court.
