Segun Olanrewaju’s Remains to Arrive Nigeria Next Week Following Investigation Into Death
Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju’s remains will return to Nigeria next week after over two months of efforts. His death has raised concerns about safety protocols in Ghana’s boxing scene, prompting investigations revealing regulatory failures by the Ghana Boxing Authority. A committee found pre-existing health issues contributed to his death and criticized the lack of adequate medical personnel during the fight.
The remains of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju are set to return to Nigeria next week, as confirmed by the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC). Following two months of complex legal, diplomatic, and procedural work, the return of Olanrewaju’s body from Ghana is now imminent. NBBofC chief Rafiu Ladipo expressed confidence that the body’s arrival would occur next week, though he did not specify an exact date.
Olanrewaju’s family and the Nigerian boxing community have been waiting to see him honored properly, marking a bittersweet end to a deeply emotional ordeal. Olanrewaju, affectionately known as “Success,” tragically collapsed in the ring during a bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu on March 29 at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Accra. He was later pronounced dead at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, leading to an outpouring of grief across Nigeria.
His passing sparked serious concerns over safety protocols in Ghana’s boxing scene. Investigations subsequently revealed significant regulatory lapses by the Ghana Boxing Authority, prompting heated discussions on ensuring the safety of boxers. The delay in repatriating Olanrewaju’s body had been primarily due to legal requirements necessitated by the circumstances of his death. Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, stated that a coroner’s report was essential for proceeding with the funeral arrangements.
“The body was not detained for no reason. In the circumstances of his death, the coroner act is invoked, and the report of the coroner is needed to carry on with the burial or evacuation process,” Adams explained earlier. This report was a critical stepping stone for the Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities to move forward with repatriation.
A seven-member committee, led by Ambassador Major (retd.) Amarkai Amarteifio, undertook a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death. They interviewed over 30 individuals associated with the case, culminating in a thorough 100-page report. Findings indicated that pathological examinations revealed pre-existing cardiovascular issues, which contributed to the unfortunate incident.
Ekow Asmah, a veteran journalist and part of the investigative committee, revealed that the boxer had an enlarged heart—a condition often seen in athletes. “The pathologist was able to diagnose the death of the boxer in specific detail, and we realized that he had a pre-existing condition but determining the exact trigger for it remains uncertain,” Asmah stated.
Additionally, the investigation exposed critical shortcomings on the part of the Ghana Boxing Authority regarding event management and medical safety protocols. It was revealed that the GBA had not ensured that adequate medical personnel were present during the bout. Asmah stated, “The GBA doesn’t have a doctor. When there’s no doctor, there should be no fight. Segun Olanrewaju didn’t do the mandatory medical examination before fighting.”
Furthermore, he pointed out that the individual who entered the ring during the event was an imposter and not a licensed medical professional. The committee strongly recommended that Ghana should take responsibility for repatriating Olanrewaju’s remains and covering all related funeral expenses, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and respect for unity in Africa. The NBBofC has requested a copy of the investigative report to be sent to Nigeria as well.
The return of Segun Olanrewaju’s body to Nigeria next week marks an important step for his family and the boxing community. The findings from the investigation into his death underscore serious regulatory failures in Ghana’s boxing environment, highlighting crucial safety and medical protocol neglect. Ghana’s commitment to take responsibility for repatriating Olanrewaju acknowledges a shared responsibility within the African community, prompting ongoing discussions on boxer safety across the continent.
Original Source: punchng.com
