The remains of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju are expected to arrive in Nigeria next week, the President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control has confirmed, following over two months of legal, diplomatic, and procedural efforts to repatriate his body from Ghana.
NBBofC boss Rafiu Ladipo assured that the long-awaited return of Olanrewaju’s remains is now imminent after extensive negotiations between Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities.
“I can assure you, latest by next week, the body will be brought back. I don’t know what particular day,” Ladipo said.
Ladipo detailed the intense efforts by Nigerian authorities to ensure Olanrewaju’s remains are returned with dignity, marking the end of what has been a protracted and emotionally charged process for the boxer’s family and the Nigerian boxing community.
Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success,” collapsed in the ring during a fight with Ghanaian boxer Jon Mbanugu on 29 March at the Trust Sports Emporium Boxing Arena at Bukoum, Accra. He was later pronounced dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
His death triggered an outpouring of grief in Nigeria and ignited intense scrutiny over safety protocols in Ghana’s boxing scene, with subsequent investigations revealing serious regulatory failures by the Ghana Boxing Authority.
The delay in repatriating the boxer’s body was attributed to legal requirements that had to be fulfilled following the circumstances of his death. Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, had earlier explained that the coroner’s report was needed before the evacuation process could proceed.
“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 in May.
“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.”
A government-appointed seven-member committee, chaired by Ambassador Major (retd.) Amarkai Amarteifio, conducted a comprehensive investigation into Olanrewaju’s death, interviewing 30 individuals connected to the case and producing a detailed 100-page report.
The committee’s findings revealed that pathological examinations had uncovered pre-existing cardiovascular issues that contributed to the tragic incident. Veteran journalist and boxing expert Ekow Asmah, who was part of the investigative committee, disclosed that the boxer had an enlarged heart, which is common among athletes.
“The pathologist was able to diagnose the death of the boxer in specific detail and we realised that he had a pre-existing condition – an enlarged heart which is common for most athletes – but as to what triggered the pre-existing condition, it’s not ascertainable after all the scientific tests,” Asmah said.
More damning were the committee’s findings regarding the Ghana Boxing Authority’s handling of the event and their compliance with basic safety protocols. The investigation revealed that the GBA was operating without proper licensing and had failed to ensure adequate medical supervision was present at the bout.
“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 revealed.
“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.”
The committee recommended that Ghana should assume full responsibility for repatriating Olanrewaju’s remains to Nigeria and cover all funeral and burial expenses, underscoring Ghana’s commitment to solidarity and respect for African unity. The NBBofC has also requested a copy of the committee’s report be sent to Nigeria.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
