…as deceased children sue uncle over father’s burial against family wishes
The Children of the Late Reverend Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, Rev. Ekpedeme Udo Akwaowo have dragged their Uncle, Elder Idorenyin Udo Akwaowo and three others to Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Itu to restrain them from burying the Late brother, Rev. Ekpedeme Udo Akwaowo against the wish of the generality of the family and the deceased proclamation while alive.
In a motion on notice which was registered in Suit No: HIT/ 29/24 the plaintiffs seek an Interlocutory order restraining the 1st – 3rd Defendants/Respondant from removing Late Rev. Ekpedeme Udo Akwaowo corpse from Uwem alias Movies Mortuary located at Afaha Ikot Edem Udo Onna Local Government Area for burial at Edem Idim Ishiet Village in Onna Local Government Area on 8th and 9th November, 2024 without the consent of the plaintiffs and approved date by the Assemblies of God Church (City of God) Shelter Afrique Section, Uyo District Akwa Ibom State, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
According to the deceased children” Our late father gave instructions for him to be buried at his Shelter Afrique Mbiabong, Uyo residence as recorded on electronic evidence, he specifically reiterated that he wouldn’t want to be buried where his mother and father were buried.
“Dad and mom had their plans to be buried side-by-side in their Mbiabong, Uyo residence – Mom can testify. Dad gathered his children on several occasions and made his proclamation while he was alive which includes where he wants to be buried – Ndifreke, Ofonime, Mfoniso, Ud, Dad’s RECOBA friend, and neighbours can testify.
“As Sectional Leader in Uyo District of Assemblies of God, Dad ought to be buried only by the District. However, our Uncles’ have gone out to engage people other than the Uyo District to bury dad against our approval, hence their deceptive use of Assemblies of God, Nigeria, instead of Assemblies of God, Uyo District in the flyer – see the flyer.
“It is not the practice of Assemblies of God, Uyo District to conduct vigil night in honour of their deceased members. They are hell-bent on violating dad’s spiritual tenets by organizing the vigil night which they have fixed for 08-11-2024 to get away with their evil and avoid reactions, they deceptively referred to the proposed event as Friends’ Night instead of Vigil Night – See the flyer.”
They further prayed to the court to restrain the 4th respondent, the mutuary attendants, Mr. Uwem doing business in name and style, Movies Mortuary from releasing the corps of the deceased to Mr. Idorenyin Akwaowo Udo and co for burial pending on the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
©Emmanuel Ufon