Despite the establishment of a funeral committee by former Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade over a year ago to oversee the burial arrangements of the late Dr. Joseph Wayas, a former Senate President, the dispute among family members has prevented any progress.

The committee, which was inaugurated in August 2022, has made repeated appeals to the family members of the late senator to put their differences aside and allow their father’s remains to be laid to rest.

Late Dr. Wayas, who served under former President Shehu Shagari, has remained unburied for two years.

He passed away in a London hospital on November 30, 2021, after a prolonged illness, and his body has since been embalmed in the city under the care of one of his daughters.

Former Governor Ben Ayade had appointed a committee headed by former Attorney General of the Federation Kanu Agabi to organize the state burial, and N200 million was allocated to support the funeral.

However, controversies, including allegations of misappropriation of funds, have overshadowed the entire process.

The first son, Joe Wayas, was accused of misusing funds, but he vehemently denied the allegations and demanded that the committee provide an account of their expenditures.

Joe also took legal action against his father’s second wife, whom he claimed was never recognized as a wife.

In a letter written by his lawyers, Joe requested that Catherine Ishiaka Ayim be barred from identifying herself as the late Joseph Wayas’ widow or representative of his estate. He alleged that Catherine, who he insisted was not married to his late father, had presented herself as the representative of the estate to government officials and collected substantial amounts of money for the late Senate President’s funeral.

Joe expressed frustration with the funeral committee, accusing them of tarnishing his reputation with lies. He challenged them to disclose how much money he received from them and demanded an account of their expenditures from the funeral funds.

The committee member and former executive secretary of the National Planning Commission, Fidelis Ugbo, urged people to question the first son about the burial’s delayed status, as the responsibility lies with him.

Meanwhile, Chief Ojong Amos, a critical stakeholder, placed blame on Joe Wayas for the controversies. He refuted the allegations made by the first son and stated that Joe had refused to cooperate with the committee in resolving the challenges of bringing the body back from the UK.

Ojong called for unity among all parties involved to overcome the difficulties and provide a dignified burial for Dr. Wayas.

Efforts have been made to involve the new Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, by briefing him on the situation surrounding the delayed burial. It was also mentioned that the community reached out to the National Assembly leadership to seek assistance in repatriating the late politician’s remains from the UK.

The extended delay in burying their son has become a source of embarrassment for the Paramount ruler of Obanliku LGA and the President of Basang Nation, where Dr. Wayas hailed from.