A businessman, Mr. Clifford Osawaru, has been left in shock after his obituary posters adorned the walls and utility poles in Okhunmwun Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
A hotelier(pictured with the poster), the purported remains of the 65-year-old according to the obituary was slated for burial on Friday, August 14, 2025, after leaving the Central Hospital to his residence.
The father-of-thirteen who related the situation that led to his death notice to journalists in Benin, said he was inundated with calls from people who saw the obituary and had to drive around the streets to confirm it.
Mr. Osawaru accused his adversaries in a community land battle of being behind his false death notice despite his sound health, adding that he was neither sick nor hospitalised.
He said, “I was made the patron of the community by the Odionwerie and the elders. But some youths abandoned their jobs and focused their minds on selling land with fake paper in our community without the consent of the elders and myself.
“So, the Odionwerie and I went to court and restrained them from selling land. Then they said that I was the one behind it (preventing them from selling land).
“That was why they printed this paper (obituary). Yesterday (Thursday) my relation told me about it and sent me a copy. So, I went to the Area Command to report to the police.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Stephen Onwochei, who confirmed the incident, described it as a “case of threat to life” and said investigation would commence on the matter.
