The Customary Court of Appeal, Kaduna, has fixed January 15, 2025, for judgment on a case alleged to be a clash between tradition and the debasement of values that left the body of Mrs Cecilia Peter Bakam unburied over a year.
The court headed by Justice Luka Gwaza Maza, Justice Linda Amina Yaroson and Justice Dorcas Tabitha Atung heard the matter on November 20, 2024.
In suit number CCA/KAD/KD/60A/2024 with the applicants: Hajiya Maryam Doka, Maureen Kabruk, Veronica Dudu Bakam, George Bakam, and Pascalina Bakam vs Emmanuel Bakam Peter and Samaila Bakam, the court ordered the immediate release of the corpse of the late Cecilia Bakam who died in October 2023 and could not be buried following a clash within the family over where she should be buried.
The case, seen by many as a clash between tradition and the debasement of values, left the body of Mrs Cecilia Peter Bakam unburied due to her alleged dying wish.
The presiding judge, Danladi Douglas while delivering judgment in Kaduna on Thursday, October 3, 2024, explained that the corpse of Cecilia Bakam should be immediately released to the elders, stressing that the applicants are bound by the tradition and custom of the Bajju people regarding where the deceased should be buried.
According to him, the defendant was able to prove, in accordance with the tradition and custom of the Bajju people, that it is the elders who have the strongest say about the place and manner of the burial of the deceased.
The presiding judge added that even if the deceased had a dying wish, the elders still have the final say regarding where the corpse should be buried.
The presiding judge said, “The elders should be given immediate access to the corpse so that they can make arrangements and prepare for the burial.”
Douglas observed that both parties are bound by the customs and traditions of the Bajju people, pointing out that they are all Bajju.
He noted that holding the corpse of Cecilia Bakam for a long period is unlawful and contrary to the customs and traditions of the Bajju people.
Kaduna court orders release of Cecilia Bakam’s body for burial