The late Yinka Olomojobi, who was reportedly killed on Friday, April 19 at the Ajadeh Event Center, along Iperu-Sagamu Road, Ogun State, by gun-wielding kidnappers, will be buried according to Christian rite despite reports that he died as a Muslim.
Muslim News gathered that the family has released burial arrangements which revealed that the ceremony to honour the late professor will last for two days between Thursday, May 9 and Friday May 10.
A commendation service will be held at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State on Thursday; while a church service will take place at the Victory Sanctuary, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Lekki, Lagos State.
A private interment will then follow, according to the flyer sighted by our medium, on Sunday, May 5.
Recall that the Prof of Law at Babcock University was shot dead for allegedly refusing to be taken away by the suspected gunmen.
According to multiple reports, he was shot dead and two residents were kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.
But the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said one person had been arrested in connection with the incident as the police noted that efforts are ongoing to track down the culprits.
Babcock University says Olomojobi’s death came as a rude shock
The university authorities also confirmed the death of Prof. Olomojobi in a statement made available to journalists by the Director of Communication and Marketing, Dr. Joshua Suleiman.
Babcock University said the death of Prof. Olomojobi came as a rude shock, commiserating with his family, friends, faculty and students.
“The Babcock University administration regrets to announce the loss of Prof. Yinka Olomojobi, a professor of human rights law and gender law, to suspected kidnappers.
The institution paid a glowing tribute to the late law professor, saying he gave his all imparting knowledge and empowering young students of the university.
“Prof. Olomojobi, who began his career at Babcock University on April 1, 2011, had a vibrant personality and gave his all to imparting knowledge and empowering the young people at the university where he taught,” the institution stated in a statement.
A twist to the story
Following the demise of Prof Olomojobi, a report was circulated on social media confirming that the deceased actually renounced Christianity and embraced Islam as a result died as a Muslim.
In his account on social media, Christopher Otayemi confirmed that the Professor truly converted to Islam.
He said late Olomojobi had even scheduled to meet him in respect of deepening his understanding of his new faith, but the meeting couldn’t happen until he was killed.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of Professor Dr. Yinka Olomojobi (rahimahullah), whom I learnt was killed on Friday night whilst resisting being kidnapped in Iperu, Ogun State,” Otayemi wrote.
“Being a recent convert to Islam, Prof. was referred to me about 3 months ago primarily because of his interest in deepening his understanding of his new faith and the need for him to get a platform to interact and engage more visibly with the Muslim Community.
“We had planned to meet physically on Sunday, 25 February 2024 at his apartment in Lagos. Allah willed that meeting would not take place because Prof. sent me a message very early that morning that he was down with Malaria, and requested we rescheduled. All through the month of Ramadān, we were in contact via Whatsapp, and our last conversation was on 29 March 2024.
“Listening to him on the phone speaks about his journey to Islam (he was the only Muslim in his family) and my interaction with him, I could sense a highly cerebral scholar with deep conviction and faith in Allah. He was driven by a passion purely to please his Lord.”
Otayemi said the late Professor came across as a respectful and humble personality during their engagement.
“Indeed, the eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and we are saddened over your departure, Prof. But we will not say anything that is not pleasing to our Lord.
May Allah overlook your shortcomings, admit you into His mercy, raise you within the ranks of the righteous and grant you easy entry into His Jannah as a martyr.
“To the Muslim Community, you owe your brother dua’ and a befitting Janazaah (Islamic burial),” he said.
What’s next? Some concerned Muslims express their views
Some Muslims who spoke with our Correspondent have called on the Muslim community in Lagos State to rise up to the responsibility of ensuring the late Prof. Olomojobi gets buried according to Islamic rites.
Some, however, suggested Salatul Gaaib, a form of janazah (prayer for the dead), where the corpse is not presented, as an alternative.
Olayinka Luqman said, “The Lagos Muslim community should come together and support our brother, late Prof. Olomojobi. Though he is dead, this is the time he needs our support the most. We should play our part to convince the family to bury him in accordance with Islam.”
Another Muslim faithful, Tajudeen Abdulkareem wrote, “The family of the late Professor should be honest with their patriarch. If he had died as a Muslim, then the honourable thing to do is to respect his choice and let him be buried according to Islam.
He was convinced to have embraced Islam and not force his own choice on them. They should respect his choice too. I hope the Lagos Muslim community will intervene in this matter.”
In his opinion, Soliu Adeniran urged Muslims not to be deterred by the antics of the family, as they can perform salatul gaaib in honour of the late professor.
What is the solution? Express your view
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