An investigation conducted by Kara House has brought to light the alarming ease with which individuals can obtain death certificates for living persons in Nigeria.
The investigation stemmed from the experience of Anthony Olasele, a Nigerian whose bank account was frozen after someone presented a fraudulent death certificate in his name. Upon probing Anthony’s case, Tobi Oyetunde discovered the widespread prevalence of this scam across Nigeria.
Oyetunde conducted inquiries at three hospitals in Lagos and Ogun states, posing as someone seeking a death certificate for his supposedly deceased father. At a Lagos state hospital in Ota, Oyetunde encountered Olumide, a hospital staff member, who readily agreed to issue the certificate for a fee of N10,000. Olumide neglected to verify any of the presented information or request the necessary court papers required for issuing a death certificate.
“Some people are alive and come to collect death certificates. I have been arrested and taken to Alagbon on this issue,” Olumide confessed to the reporter.
Likewise, at Orile Agege General Hospital in Lagos, another staffer identified only as Kunle demanded N15,000 to issue the death certificate.
A medical and legal expert interviewed by Kara House emphasized that issuing death certificates without verifying the deceased’s identity or obtaining the necessary court documents is a violation of Nigerian law.
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