The remains of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju are expected to arrive in Nigeria next week, the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), Rafiu Ladipo, has confirmed.
This follows more than two months of legal and diplomatic efforts to repatriate his body from Ghana.
Ladipo assured that the return of Olanrewaju’s remains is imminent after extensive negotiations between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities. “I can assure you that, latest by next week, the body will be brought back. I don’t know the exact day yet,” he said.
Olanrewaju, known as “Success,” collapsed during a boxing match against Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu on March 29 at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Accra.
He was later pronounced dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
His death sparked widespread grief in Nigeria and raised serious concerns about safety standards in Ghana’s boxing industry. Investigations exposed significant regulatory lapses by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).
The delay in repatriation was due to legal requirements, including the release of a coroner’s report. Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, explained that the coroner’s findings were necessary before the evacuation could proceed.
“The body was not detained without reason. The coroner’s report was essential to continue with burial or evacuation,” Adams said.
A government-appointed committee, chaired by Ambassador Major (retd.) Amarkai Amarteifio, conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing 30 individuals and producing a 100-page report.
The findings revealed that Olanrewaju had pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, including an enlarged heart, which is common among athletes.
However, the investigation was critical of the GBA’s management of the event, noting the absence of a licensed doctor at the fight and the failure to conduct mandatory medical examinations prior to the match.
Veteran boxing journalist Ekow Asmah, a committee member, disclosed that the person who attended to Olanrewaju ringside was not a qualified doctor.
The committee recommended that Ghana assume full responsibility for repatriation costs and funeral arrangements, emphasizing solidarity and respect between the two countries.
The NBBofC has requested a copy of the report to review the findings in detail.