By Ajani Okanlawon
More facts emerging from the Epe boat tragedy on Saturday indicate that one of the victims, Muheez Olayinka Bello, died on his birthday.
His body was yet to be found as at Sunday morning.
Sources close to the man popularly known as MB told qed.ng that the Lagos State University Law graduate was in a celebratory mood before the boat he was travelling in with the son of Olu of Epe, Aremo Azeez Adewale, and others capsized, killing almost everyone onboard.
Bello, who was an All Progressives Congress (APC) Local Government chairmanship aspirant for Epe, had gone to cast his vote in company of Adewale and others.
They were on their way back when the boat they were travelling in capsized.
His wife, Monsurat, also a lawyer, survived and is currently receiving treatment at the Epe General Hospital.
Described as a kind man and benefactor to many, Bello was in a pole position to get his party’s ticket for the Epe chairmanship position.
He graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2003, a year after he won the Prize for Civil Liberties Literature presented to him by late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).
A source close to him told our reporter that “He was successful, yet so very humble.”
He was also described as a protege of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“His death could not have come at a worse time,” said another.
A biography obtained from the internet showed that in 2006, he became a Partner in Bello and Odeleke, a firm of Barristers and Solicitors, which advised top rated Nigerian artists like Eldee, Kaffy, Sasha P and 2face Idibia, amongst others.
In 2007, he was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Sports, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele.
A father of three kids, Maryam, Mazeedat and Mutaal; Bello was a staff of Chevron until his death.
His exact age could not be verified but it is believed he was under 40.
