Why Hospital Refused to Release Corpse of Jerry Okorodu

ENigeria Newspaper reports that Nigeria’s Olympic Boxer, Jeremiah Okorodudu, on Wednesday at about 7 pm died at a Lagos Hospital while awaiting amputation surgery, Eniola Olatunji of Patmos Media Line has reported.

Buttressing further, Olatunji who broke the sad news of the boxing legend’s death revealed that the hospital authorities have vowed not to release Okorodud’s corpse until an outstanding N600,000 debt is cleared.

“I gathered that his home State, Delta State and even Edo State where he grew up, did not react to pleas for support because of administrative bottle necks as they were waiting for letters to be written before support could be offered. It was only former Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege who lost election as Delta Gubernatorial Candidate, who sent in N100,000:00 on Tuesday night to shore up the money to N600,000:00 which was deposited to the Hospital account Wednesday morning.

“According to Olanrewaju most of Okorodudu’s colleagues abroad were only pleading for patience before sending in anything.
“It was learnt that the surgery to amputate his leg would have been carried out by noon of Thursday if the funds were available. A Medical Doctor who pleaded to be anonymous said Jerry would have survived if the initial schedule to amputate his leg were carried out last Saturday.

“Jerry as called in boxing circles was a Bronze Medalist at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia from 30th September to 9th October and was controversially edged out at the quarterfinals of the 1984 Olympic Games at Vigil Hills on split decision of 3-2 by North Korean Sun Sho Shp which the Nigerian camp vehemently protested.

“That 1984 Olympics was where Nigerian Boxer, Peter Konyegwachie won Silver in the Featherweight category and the Nigerian 4 x 400 Relay Men won Bronze.
“Jerry was a Gold Medalist at the National Sports Festival, Oluyole ’79 which was my first professional outing with the Radio Organizations of Nigeria where I was the youngest Commentator under the leadership of both legendary Commentator, Ishola Folorunsho and Earnest Okonkwo and I was Stringer to Walter Batowei who led the Boxing coverage crew.

“Two memorable bouts will refresh boxing enthusiasts in Nigeria which was with Joe Lasisi. The first one at the National Stadium on 28th July 1985 Jerry had to retire with a broken right arm in the 2nd round. I was there and reported it for the Nation’s Model Station Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation OGBC. In the second bout between both boxers weighing 172 Ibs each on 16th December 1988 also at the National Stadium, Lagos Okorodudu claimed he was thumbed by Joe Lasisi but the score card read 68-65; 67-66 and 66-67 in favor of Lasisi.
“Jerry told the media he was inspired to go into boxing from secondary school at Benin City in Nigeria through the brilliance of the man “that flies like a Butterfly and stings like a Bee”, Muhammed Ali who he never met.

“You may still reach his wife, Adenike on +2348084200018 or send your token to his bank account: Jeremiah Okorodudu, Account Number 0011203501 Eco Bank at least for his corpse to be released to the family.”

Olatunji, formerly Yomi Kassim, has been in the media for over four and a half decades with vast experience in Radio Sports Commentaries and Newspaper reporting. He worked as Presenter/Producer on many radio stations and Reporter/Editor in some Newspapers.