Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo expressed his displeasure over the breach of the state’s burial law during the funeral of Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor. The funeral, which took place on Saturday at Ezeife’s residence in Igbo-Ukwu Community, Idemili South Local Government Area, saw an excessive display of fanfare and flamboyant activities, which Governor Soludo said violated the state’s Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law enacted in 2019.
In a speech at the funeral, Governor Soludo criticized the excessive spending and elaborate arrangements. “All this fanfare that makes burial very expensive runs contrary to the Anambra burial law passed three years before I became governor,” he said.
The burial law, enacted under former Governor Willie Obiano, aims to curb extravagant funerals and funerary activities, a common practice in Anambra State. The state government under the Soludo administration had warned residents on October 20, 2023, that they risked jail terms upon conviction for violating the law, according to a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu.
The law sets out strict regulations to control burial and funeral costs. It restricts the erection of billboards, banners, and posters; limits the duration of corpses in a mortuary to two months; prohibits second funeral rites; and restricts wake ceremonies to one day with specific rules on food, drinks, live bands, and other entertainment. Additionally, it limits undertakers to six and prohibits demonstrations by youths with photographs of the deceased.
Governor Soludo emphasized that his administration would enforce the law to prevent extravagant funerals, which he believes contradict the values set by former Governor Ezeife. Despite the law’s strict provisions, violations persist, with no arrests or prosecutions recorded since its enactment.
Observers note that cultural traditions and societal expectations contribute to the resistance to these regulations. While Governor Soludo’s presence at Ezeife’s funeral was to honor the late governor, his condemnation of the extravagant activities signaled a renewed focus on implementing the burial law. However, whether this will translate into more robust enforcement remains to be seen.