Guardian

‘Mummified Grand Mum in Son’s Wardrobe’ sounds like the title of a horror movie. Yet, that is what happened recently in Imo State, a few weeks after the discovery of a ‘baby factory’ in the same area, and a few months after the Ezzu River corpses were sighted in the same geopolitical zone.

But even with the flagrant display of absurdities assaulting the sensibilities of Nigerians, the discovery of the mummified corpse of 78 year-old Mrs. Lucy Osigweh in the wardrobe of her own son, Dr. Chimezie Osigweh, is one bizarre event too many.

Reports of the discovery are somewhat inconsistent. One account has it that Osigweh’s 22 year-old son had gone into his father’s room in search of his credentials, whereupon he forced open the wardrobe in the room, only to be confronted with the mummified body of his 78 year-old grandmother who had been declared missing since 2003. Another account claimed that the exasperated relatives of the deceased grandmother, who had been suspicious of Osigweh’s nonchalance over the supposed disappearance of his mother, stormed Osigweh’s residence, and in the rampage that ensued, found a cupboard containing the remains of the late Mrs. Osigweh.

Notwithstanding the seeming inconsistency, the crux of the matter is that a mummified corpse of one who was declared missing 10 years ago was found in the abode of her son. What is more shocking, though, is the fact that Osigweh, who was aware that the late septuagenarian was declared missing in 2003, was evasive about the circumstances leading to the death of his mother.  What perfidy? Was he, and is he still under any form of religious or occultic influence? These are questions that may unearth the truth behind the wardrobe horror.

This incident is an addition to the growing number of bizarre and horrendous crimes in the land as there are heaped up files on the cases of missing persons in Nigerian police stations. Many cases of missing persons are not reported. Often news abounds of wives, children and wards declared missing, and incriminations directed outside the immediate families even when the crime is being committed by someone in the household.

While acknowledging the prompt response of the Imo State Police Command to the case, there must be proper investigation of suspected crimes and diligent prosecution of same.

This incident also speaks to the growing cases of spiritual abuse, which have become an integral part of the religious practices of some Nigerians. To this end, there is need to guide against the emptiness and criminal propensity of the vacuous religiosity that have beclouded the mind and heart of the masses. In spite of the constitutional provision on the freedom of the right to religious expression, many have inadvertently found themselves under the bondage of buccaneers, who parade themselves as religious leaders. This calls for a concerted effort to enlighten people on the dangers of some warped religious expressions that are injurious to persons and the society. It also demands the establishment of groups to counsel victims of religious abuse and integrate them into society.

In Nigeria today, old and young people are becoming disenchanted as their hope of a better life are fast dimming. There is frustration as the reward of hardwork and a virtuous life are painstakingly slow compared with life on the fast lane. And in the absence of adequate models in the system people turn to fellow frustrated people like themselves, who often lead them astray. The result is a relapse to bewildering criminal activities, amongst which is ritual killing and questionable occultic practices.

The case of the Osigwehs is not yet established as ritual murder or occultic ritual. Whatever it is, it is repugnant. It is a violation of the worth of human life and debasement of all decency that must not go unpunished if only to serve as an announcement of the society’s intolerance for any form of depravity.