By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The controversy surrounding the burial arrangements for former Kogi State Governor, late Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, CON, has taken a new twist following a declaration by his son, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Idris, that he is the sole custodian of his father’s remains.
Abdullahi had on Thursday officially announced the death of the former governor, stating that he died in a hospital in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
In the statement, the family announced that the remains would arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday, with the Janazah prayer scheduled to hold at the Abuja National Mosque, followed by burial at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, in accordance with Islamic rites.
The family also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and Nigerians for their prayers and support following the death of the former governor.
However, in a fresh statement issued on Friday, Abdullahi said he had formally written to Governor Ododo to notify him that, as the legitimate custodian of the deceased, he is the person officially authorised to receive his father’s remains before handing them over to the Kogi State Government for further burial rites.
He said the process would be carried out in accordance with the wishes of his late father.
Abdullahi also debunked what he described as other information circulating in the media concerning the custody of the former governor’s remains and the burial arrangements.
According to him, he remains the official custodian of his father’s remains pending the formal handover to the state government for any further funeral rites.
He stressed that the burial would be conducted in line with Islamic injunctions and in accordance with the personal wishes of the late former governor.
The latest declaration comes amid differing information concerning the custody of the remains and burial arrangements for the former Kogi State governor, who died in the United Kingdom.
Abdullahi’s statement is expected to provide clarification on the immediate custody of the remains and the process leading to the former governor’s final burial.
