Police in Anambra have debunked claims that the body of actor Junior Pope was buried by the riverside.
Anambra police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga said on Sunday that the claims were false, adding that only the families of three persons who died in the April 10 boat accident consented that the victims should be buried beside the river.
Five people, including Junior Pope, Abigail Frederick, Precious Oforum, and Joseph Anointing, died when their boat carrying 12 crew members capsized on the Anam River in Anambra West Local Government Area on April 10.
On Saturday, the police command said the two boat operators had been arrested. It also said the producer of the movie Adanma Luke voluntarily turned herself in.
“The Command on an inquiry about the unconfirmed information that the recovered bodies including Junior Pope were buried by the riverside where the boat accident happened, discovered that three of the deceased families accepted that the victim should be buried beside the river,” said Ikenga.
“But later, the family of one of the victims decided to exhume the body to be given a proper burial in her state while the other two were still buried there.
“Also, Junior Pope and one other are still in the morgue and awaiting the deceased family’s funeral arrangements, Please let’s be guided.
“Meanwhile, the producer of the movie and the two boat drivers’ statements have been obtained, and other necessary actions/moves already emplaced by the operatives as directed by the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Aderemi Adeoye.
“This is to determine the criminal liability of any person, if any, in the mishap.”
Ikenga assured the general public that nothing would be swept under the carpet concerning the investigation of the incident.
