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After weeks of delays, the remains of Nigerian boxer Segun Olanrewaju, also known as “Success,” are expected to arrive in Nigeria next week, according to the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC).
The board’s president, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, confirmed this development after extended diplomatic and legal processes involving both Nigeria and Ghana.
Ladipo, speaking to The PUNCH, explained that arrangements for the return of Olanrewaju’s body are nearly complete, although no specific date has been confirmed yet.
“By next week at the latest, the body will be brought back. I can’t give the exact day, but everything is in motion,” he stated.
Olanrewaju tragically died on March 29 during a boxing match against Ghanaian fighter Jon Mbanugu.
The bout took place at the Trust Sports Emporium in Bukom, Accra.
The Nigerian collapsed mid-fight and was later pronounced dead at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
His death sparked widespread grief in Nigeria and drew attention to safety lapses in Ghana’s boxing scene. Investigations into the incident were immediately launched, leading to scrutiny of the event’s medical and regulatory oversight.
The delay in transporting his remains back to Nigeria stemmed from legal hurdles.
Ghanaian authorities insisted that, under local laws, a coroner’s report was required before the body could be released.
In May, Ghana’s Youth and Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, clarified that the government had to wait for the coroner’s findings before authorizing burial or repatriation.
“The body wasn’t held without reason,” Adams explained.
“Due to the circumstances of the death, a coroner’s inquiry had to be conducted before any further steps could be taken.”
A seven-person investigative committee, led by Ambassador Major (retd.) Amarkai Amarteifio, was assigned to look into the boxer’s death.
After interviewing dozens of people connected to the case, the panel produced a comprehensive 100-page report.
According to committee member and boxing analyst Ekow Asmah, a post-mortem examination revealed that Olanrewaju had an enlarged heart, a condition sometimes found in athletes.
However, the medical team was unable to determine the specific cause that triggered his collapse.
“He had a heart abnormality, which is not uncommon among sportspeople. Unfortunately, we couldn’t identify what exactly led to the fatal incident,” Asmah noted.
The report also uncovered severe flaws in the way the fight was organized. The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), which oversaw the event, reportedly lacked proper licensing and failed to ensure essential medical requirements were met.
Shockingly, no certified doctor was present at ringside when Olanrewaju collapsed.
“The man who entered the ring wearing a lab coat wasn’t a medical professional,” Asmah revealed.
“There was no qualified doctor at the venue, which violates basic safety standards. In such situations, the fight should never have gone ahead.”
In light of these findings, the committee urged the Ghanaian government to take full responsibility for the repatriation of Olanrewaju’s remains and to cover the expenses for his funeral.
This, they said, would reflect Ghana’s commitment to brotherhood and regional solidarity.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control has requested a full copy of the investigation report to gain deeper insights into the case and ensure proper closure for the boxer’s family and the sporting community.