Itunu Babalola, Who Died In Cote D’Ivoire Prison Buried In Ibadan

The body of Itunu Babalola, the Nigerian lady who died in prison in Côte D’Ivoire after she was wrongly jailed, has been buried at the Sango Cemetery in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The ambulance, bearing her corpse, which was brought by a delegation of Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) arrived at the cemetery around 9.30 am. The delegation was led by NIDCOM head of media, public relations and protocol, Mr Abdulrahman Balogun.

However, the family members led by the uncle to the deceased demanded that the sealed coffin be opened before the commencement of a short burial service so that they can confirm that it was Itunnu’s body.

Delivering a sermon at the graveside, the clergy in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Agbowo, Arch Diocesan Headquarters, Most Superior Evangelist Daniel Oluwatosin Otakoya said, “We cannot question God on the death of Itunnu.”

Drawing reference from the book of Revelation, chapter 14, verses 6 to 13, he stated: “Everybody will die. We are pained by the death of Itunnu, but there is nothing we can do about it. God has taken her away.”

Otakoya charged everyone, irrespective of status, religious belief and ethnic nationality to imbibe good virtues and live an exemplary life, saying “we need to use whatever position we occupy in life well to ensure that we live good legacies after our demise.”

Meanwhile, Itunnu’s father, Mr Abayomi Babalola has described the killing of her daughter in Cote d’ Ivoire prison as devastating and gruesome, stressing that “all I want for Itunnu is justice. She must not die in vain.

Speaking during an interview with Sunday Tribune in his residence located inside the University of Ibadan (UI), Babalola said “my only daughter was tortured, maltreated and molested in Cote d’ Ivoire prison. She was jailed for an offence she didn’t commit.”

“I am pleading with the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that all those involved in the brutal killing of my daughter are made to face justice in that country. The case must be pursued to a logical conclusion,” he stated.