Nigeria: Kaduna Court orders exhumation of corpse for proper burial amid family dispute

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

An Upper Customary Court in Kaduna has ruled that a woman’s corpse, wrongly buried in Fadiya, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, be exhumed and reburied according to the Bajju people’s tradition and custom. The dispute arose among the children of the late Mrs. Cecilia Peter Kabruk over her final resting place, leading to a prolonged family conflict that left the corpse unburied for an extended period.

The presiding judge, Douglas Danladi, delivered the judgment, stating that the corpse should be handed over to the family elders for proper burial. The court also awarded N2.5 million to cover the costs of unlocking the house at Fadiya, Zangon Kataf, for the exhumation and reburial process.

The disagreement among Mrs. Kabruk’s children led to a series of court battles, with the judgment creditors, Emmanuel Bakam Peter and Sama’ila Bakam, winning the case at the Upper Customary Court and Customary Court of Appeal. However, the other party appealed against the judgments and went ahead to bury the deceased despite the court orders.

This ruling highlights the importance of adhering to cultural and traditional practices in resolving disputes, particularly in matters of inheritance and burial rights. The court’s decision emphasizes the need to respect the customs and traditions of the Bajju people regarding burial practices. The exhumation process will be carried out under the supervision of the family elders, ensuring that the deceased is given a proper burial according to the family’s customs.