Keshi’s family and his wife’s family fight over his final resting place

Ever since Stephen Keshi died, there have been allegations of infighting between his family and some of his in-laws (Aburime family) over his final resting place, with the Aburimes insisting on burying him beside his wife, in their Benin home. But Keshi’s family want him buried in his ancestral home in Illah, Delta State.

Keshi’s extended family, Onyeogu Ukpologwu Illah of the Onyeogu Family Union Ukpologwu Illah, Delta State, has now stated, in categorical terms, that the remains of Stephen Okechukwu Keshi will be buried at his ancestral home in Illah, in line with his last wish before his demise.

In a letter issued yesterday, the Ogbe Onyeogu family said: “We wish to reiterate our demand as earlier stated by our representatives at the meeting of June 17  that our son  be buried at his house in his hometown Ogbe Onyeogu Ukpologwu Illah in line with his last wish before his demise. 

And this we must state is in conformity with Illah tradition the Ewu tradition and the chieftaincy institution, which he willingly subscribed to during his lifetime. We believe that an issue of this nature needs no further elaboration as it is customary in Nigeria that most persons, particularly high profile personalities are buried in their hometown, to do the otherwise may portend some consequences in future going by the Illah culture and tradition.”