On Tuesday 11th October 2021, Hon. Justice C. A. Balogun delivered his judgment in the matter of The Estate of Rear Admiral Godwin Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd) (Deceased) Between Chief Gladys Ndubuisi Kanu and (1.) Kelly Ndubuisi Kanu – Defendants/Applicant(2.) The Nigerian Navy – Defendants/Applicant (3.) Simone Nenna Abiona (Nee Kanu) – Defendants/Respondents(4.) Audrey Joe-Ezigbo (Nee Kanu) – Defendants/Respondents (5.) Paula Ndidiamaka Kanu – Defendants/Respondents (6.) Karen Johnson (Nee Kanu) – Defendants/Respondents (7.) Jefferey Alozie Kanu – Defendants/Respondents (8.) Laura Ndubuisi-Kanu – Defendants/Respondents (9.) Stephen Ndubuisi-Kanu – Defendants/Respondents (10.) Josephine Ndubuisi-Kanu – Defendants/Respondents.
Details of the ruling is below: Ruling: “This Court has been informed by all the Lawyers involved in this matter representing the parties that due to the security issues involved in the burial of the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, that despite the Order of Court of my learned brother, Hon. Justice Candide-Johnson (now Retired) due to security issues and the APC convention taking place all over the country on Saturday 16th October 2021 all the parties herein have now agreed that the burial of the late Governor of Lagos State has now been re-fixed to take place on Friday 15th October 2021. “
“I now in accordance with the agreement of all the parties herein and all Counsel herein now direct that the burial of the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisl Kanu shall take place on Friday 15th October 2021”.
“In addition after listening to all the parties, their respective counsel, the wife of the late deceased and all the children who are personally in attendance in the Court today and after hearing from the elders of the village of Ovim Community of Abia State. This Court in the interest of all the parties and for the protection and security of the corpse/body of the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu now hereby further directs and Orders as follows: 1. That the officials of the Nigeria Navy are to ensure a befitting burial for the late Real Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu together and in conjunction with his wife the Claimant and all his children the Respondents herein to take place on 15th October 2021”.
“2. That the Nigeria Navy is to ensure that the body/corpse of the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu is secured and protected prior to the burial and during the burial ceremonies”.
“3. That the Nigeria Navy and shall prepare in full Navy Regalia the remains/corpse of the deceased Rear Admiral and carry the remains/corpse from its Military mortuary in Ojo, Lagos State on Wednesday 13th October 2021 and proceed to the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja and fly the remains of the Rear Admiral from Lagos Airport to the Sam Mbakwe International Airport Owerri Imo State where the body will be firstly identified by the Ada of the family and thereafter proceed to the Government House Imo State, for the remains to be received by Governor of Imo State and Government officials together with the wife, children and members of the family of the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and people of Imo State and thereafter the body shall be taken for the lying in State which shall take place at the Government House Chapel, Imo State”.
“4. Thereafter the body shall then be kept intact at the Government House Mortuary Owerri Imo State on Wednesday 13th October 2021 overnight for safekeeping/custody by the Imo State Government and then moved by the Nigerian Navy the next day 14th October 2021 to Umuahia, Abia State to be received by the Governor of Abia State, the wife, children, members of family and people of Abia State for the full State burial”.
“It is noted that the respective parties, the wife, the first son, the Ada and all the other children shall be entitled to participate jointly in the burial rites of their Late husband and father and all State rights together with all traditional rites be performed according to Ovim tradition and custom”.
“Meanwhile, it is now hereby Ordered, that all the parties are hereby bound to maintain and keep the peace before during and after the burial of late Nigerian Statesman and perfect Gentleman.
The substantive case is now adjourned to Monday 15th November 2021 for mention”.
Hon. Justice C. A. Balogun
11th October, 2021
John Duru counsel for the Claimant.
O.A. Shodimu with D.C. Onuaha and Adeyinka Taiwo counsel for 1st 3rd & 9th Defendants appearing.
Grant Onwuka with him C.J. CIRBAN (MRS.) counsel for the 2nd Defendant. B.I Ijewere counsel for the 10th Defendant.
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