Chineme Martins for burial April 18 as family rejects autopsy

The chairman of Nasraawa United, Barrister Isaac Danladi has said disclosed that the remains of Chineme Martins who slumped and died while playing in the NPFL week 23 fixture against visiting Katsina United will be buried on April 18.

He also said the deceased family has decided that no autopsy should be carried out on him.

It will be recalled that the unfortunate incident happened on March 8 at the Lafia township stadium in the presence of the Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule who was among the teeming fans who cheered the ‘solid miners’ to 3-0 victory over Katsina United.

Immediately after the death of Martins, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, also set up a committee to investigate into the death of the 20-year old defender but the committee is yet to submit its report to the Minister of Sports.

However, Danladi told Daily Trust yesterday that the family of Martins have submitted the burial programme for their son and the cost of burial has since been forwarded to Nasarawa State government.

“We have been in touch with the family of late player, Chineme Martins. They have already submitted to us the burial programme including the cost of burial which has been forwarded to the appropriate quarters.

“They have proposed April 18 for burial in his home town in Abia State. They want to come for the corpse on April 8. For now that is the plan but we are still monitoring the present situation.

“If it is not going to be possible, then the family may choose another date. It is also important to report that the family has said no to our request to conduct an autopsy on Martins,” said Danladi.