Ghana’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has confirmed that arrangements are underway to repatriate the remains of Nigerian boxer, Segun Olanrewaju, nearly two months after his tragic death during a boxing match in Accra.
According to reports, Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, disclosed that all required legal procedures have been completed, paving the way for the evacuation process.
“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 said.
“That report delayed the investigations committee work but finally they had it and submitted their report. The Ghana and Nigerian boxing authorities are now cleared to evacuate the remains of the late boxer.”
He added that there are ongoing efforts to support the process once both boxing authorities — the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) — conclude their logistics.
“My ministry is ready to assist in any way possible when the two boxing authorities decide on what to do,” Adams said.
“From the briefing I got from the GBA president, he engaged his counterpart in Nigeria on Saturday and they are settling on a date and he will get back to me.”
Wonder Mandel, administrative assistant to the minister, reiterated the commitment of Ghanaian authorities to ensure the repatriation happens swiftly.
“Kindly be assured that the Ghana Boxing Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, is actively working to finalise all arrangements,” Mandel stated.
“Currently, efforts are being made to fast-track the repatriation process to ensure the late boxer’s remains are respectfully transported to Nigeria and to his family in the shortest possible time.”
Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, also welcomed the progress and expressed hope that the situation would be resolved soon.
“We are glad we are getting a foreclosure on this soon. It is an unfortunate situation and we pray against that tragedy again. Even in situations where all steps are taken, this can happen,” Aboderin said.
“We believe that by the end of this week, the events will be wrapped up, that is, the paperwork will be done for his return and all necessary steps will be taken.”
Segun Olanrewaju, also known by his ring name “Success”, died on March 29 after collapsing in the ring during a bout against Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena in Bukom.
He was later pronounced dead at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
A committee established by Minister Kofi Adams to investigate the circumstances surrounding Olanrewaju’s death found that the boxer had pre-existing heart conditions.
The investigation also uncovered severe regulatory breaches on the part of the Ghana Boxing Authority.
Veteran journalist and boxing expert Ekow Asmah, a member of the seven-man committee, exposed grave lapses in medical safety protocols at the event.
“The GBA doesn’t have a doctor. And when there’s no doctor, there should be no fight.”
“Segun Olanrewaju didn’t do the mandatory medical examination before fighting,” Asmah said.
“The GBA had no doctor when Segun Olanrewaju collapsed. The young man wearing a lab coat who entered the ring wasn’t a doctor. He was clearly an imposter.”
