From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Contrary to earlier press statements that the corpse of Second Republic Transport Minister, Alhaji Umaru Dikko, who died in London almost a week ago, will arrive Abuja on Saturday, July 5, 2014, and subsequently be committed to mother earth in his home town, Zaria, the corpses has yet to reach the shores of Nigeria.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the delay in the issuance of death certificate by a London authority is responsible for the delay in the release of the corpse.
A family member who doubled as the Personal Secretary to the late Second Republic politician , Shehu Suleiman, disclosed that the hassle the family was facing in respect of the release of Dikko’s corpse was because he had dual citizenship of Nigeria and Britain, and there were some “procedures” that have to be followed before the London authorities would release the corpse to the Nigerian family.
He added that nobody can ascertain when his corpse would finally arrive Nigeria.
Suleiman who is also a cousin of the late politician, added that the family was working round the clock to see that the corpse is released, adding that the Dikko family has approached the Nigerian government to intervene.
“Nobody can tell when the corpse will arrive Nigeria for burial. We are waiting for the death certificate. You know he is a citizen of the British and for his body to be released to us in Nigeria there is need
to undergo due process.
“The death certificate will have to go through the Home Secretary’s Office and then for approval by the Prime Minister of Britain’s office to ensure proper release of his corpse”, he said.
Meanwhile, Vice President Muhammad Namadi Sambo has visited the Kaduna residence of the Late politician to condole with the family.
