Ruth Matete Nigerian embassy news Archives

Ruth Matete´s late husband´s burial takes an interesting turn

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Gloria Katunge

Months after investigations into Ruth Matete´s late husband, Pastor Belovedjohn Apewajoye´s death began, the Kenyan singer is yet to get access to the deceased´s body for burial processions.

All these being pegged to one thing – ongoing investigations by Nigerian authorities to ensure they leave no stone unturned in getting to the root cause of the Nigerian pastor´s death.

It now marks 2 months since the deceased´s body was and still is being held at the Kenyatta National hospital following a request by the Nigerian High Commission to detain it until the Nigerian government gives a go-ahead.

2 months for an expectant Ruth Matete translates into ballooning mortuary fees for her and her family – something she has declared she can no longer cater for.

According to the former Tusker Project Fame winner, she is tired of continuously begging to have her husband´s body released for burial and she has now given up on it.

Also read: Not just yet! Why Ruth Matete’s husband’s burial has been put on hold

In a letter addressed to the embassy by the singer through her lawyer, Robert Odanga, she indicated she is no longer interested in acquiring Belovedjohn´s body asking the Nigerian embassy to feel free to do as they please with the body.

You can hold the body and do with it as you please.

The letter further indicated that the singer or her family should never be contacted regards the body because she has completely detached herself from it.

According to her, she needs peace to be able to go through her pregnancy successfully.

She will now try to move on and should not be contacted by anyone in regard to the burial.

Background

This comes weeks after the Nigerian pastor´s family allowed Ms Matete to proceed with her late husband´s burial.

Also read: “Allow Ruth Matete to bury her husband!” Apewajoye’s family in Nigeria writes to Nigerian embassy

However, the Nigerian embassy gave deaf ears to this, holding to the belief that they will soon uncover evidence to their national´s controversial demise.

The singer and her lawyer had tried to have the court ask that the Nigeria Embassy in Nairobi foots the morgue bills and duly hand over the deceased´s body for burial.

Something she will no longer be pursuing because it has proven an uphill task for her and she needs to move on with her life.

Plus, the embassy became unwelcoming of Ruth Matete and her representatives.

“Allow Ruth Matete to bury her husband!” Apewajoye’s family in Nigeria writes to Nigerian embassy

Posted on May 8, 2020May 8, 2020 by Gloria Katunge

Ruth Matete’s family is not impressed with the Nigerian Embassy’s move to hold back her husband’s body, barring them from sending Mr Apewajoye off in peace.

Even after autopsy tests were duly conducted on the deceased and results channeled out. The family is yet to understand what exactly the embassy stands to achieve by holding back his body.

Not just Ruth Matete’s family. The late Pastor’s family back in Nigeria also issued a statement asking the Nigerian embassy to release his body for due burial.

Also read : https://www.ghafla.com/ke/not-just-yet-why-ruth-matetes-husbands-burial-has-been-kept-on-hold/

Ruth Matete’s family

Speaking to Spice yesterday, family lawyer, Robert Odanga said the situation they have been put into by the embassy, is extremely difficult for them.

This is in light of the inflating hospital and morgue bills the family has to foot amidst the Coronavirus pandemic economic setbacks.

He wondered aloud:

Even after conducting the autopsy with four independent pathologists present, the embassy has curtailed our effort to remove John’s body for burial.

Apewajoye’s family

Further adding:

The family in Nigeria have even written to the (embassy) requesting the body to be released, but they have refused to release it.

In letters addressed by the late Apewajoye’s family in Nigeria, they approved postmortem results that the deceased’s death was quite an accident.

Also read : https://www.ghafla.com/ke/ruth-matete-spared-following-postmortem-results-nigerian-embassy-stops-husbands-burial/

Additionally giving Ruth Matete the go-ahead to send off her husband in peace.

With regards to the death of our son, John Apewajoye, we request that the corpse should be buried by his Kenyan wife without further delay for his soul to be at peace.

All autopsy results duly accepted.

Even with approval from the deceased’s family and autopsy results out more than a week ago, Lawyer Odanga questioned Nigerian embassy’s motive.

There’s nothing practical you can do with a body after an autopsy other than burying it. The family is incurring unnecessary expenses.

It is reported that Ruth Matete’s family has resorted to fundraisers to cater for the ballooning bills.

Previously

This is following last week’s directive where the gospel singer was barred from sending off her husband after investigations were left open for any interested parties.

According to the police, investigations into the death of Ruth Matete’s husband were still ongoing.

Therefore no burial would proceed without concluding on the death probe.

Not just yet! Why Ruth Matete’s husband’s burial has been put on hold

Posted on April 28, 2020April 28, 2020 by Gloria Katunge

Gospel singer, Ruth Matete has been barred from sending off her husband after investigations were left open for any interested parties.

In a new directive, the police have declared investigations into the death of Ruth Matete’s husband still ongoing.

What this means is that the late Apewajoye’s burial will have to be delayed until the probe into his death is concluded.

The Homicide unit said they welcome any other evidence that may offer contrary possibilities to the untimely death of the Nigerian pastor.

A Homicide Unit official urged individuals with additional information on the probe, to come forward and record their statements.

Just like in an inquest, this probe will remain open. Let those who have any other information come and share we analyse it for action.

At least 10 witnesses had so far recorded statements with the police, in regard to the March 30th incident.

Autopsy

Ruth Matete heaved a sigh of relief on the 23rd of April after postmortem results indicated her husband succumbed due to complications suffered, including sepsis and multiple organ failure.

“(Apewajoye) died because of mixed degree burns estimated at 60 per cent” stated Government chief pathologist, Dr Johansen Oduor.

Adding:

In burns, what kills are the complication that arise. In this case there was sepsis, multiple organ failure and all that.

Chief government pathologist, Dr Johansen Oduor addressing journalists on the 23rd of April

This seemingly dismissed earlier allegations filed against the gospel singer, accusing her of hiding details regarding her husband’s demise.

Allegations

Mr Apewajoye’s claimed manager and friend, Jessy Mc Jessiey exposed the former Tusker Project Fame winner of being violent towards her late husband.

This saw the Nigerian High Commission get involved in the case, additionally putting on hold the deceased’s burial until the Nigerian government gives a go-ahead.

Something that Ruth Matete’s lawyer, Robert Adanga termed ‘unfair’.

Meanwhile, the late Belovedjohn Apewajoye’s body is being preserved at the Kenyatta National Hospital’s mortuary.

Government pathologist reveals what killed Ruth Matete’s husband

Posted on April 24, 2020May 20, 2020 by Gloria Katunge

Autopsy reports indicate that the late Apewajoye succumbed due to complications resulting from the 60 percent burns he suffered following a gas explosion at their home.

Chief government pathologist, Dr Johansen Oduor added that the postmortem was led by a team of four pathologists and senior homicide detectives.

The examination took place on Thursday afternoon at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) mortuary in Nairobi.

Report

Dr Oduor divulged that the deceased suffered complications inclusive of sepsis and multiple organ failure resulting from the unfortunate incident on the 30th of March at their home.

He died because of burns, which were mixed degree burns estimated at 60 per cent. In burns, what kills are the complication that arise. In this case there was sepsis, multiple organ failure and all that.

Dismissing any possibilities of Apewajoye’s death due to injuries.

We checked and there were no [injuries revealed].

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide detectives alongside Ms Matete’s lawyer, Robert Adanga, were present to witness the examination that lasted at least an hour, as from 3 pm.

Samples were collected by the detectives, for toxicology tests, as the Nation reports.

Ruth Matete, the government, Bellevue South Hospital and Jessy Mc Jessiey – Nigerian national who accused Ruth Matete of being a suspect in her hubby’s death – were represented by pathologists.

Burial

Despite getting over and done with the much-awaited postmortem results, the Kenyan gospel singer is however not free to go ahead and bury her late husband.

Front row: Ruth Matete with late husband, Belovedjohn Apewajoye

This is following a letter from the Nigerian embassy addressed to the DCI, requesting them to hold behind Belovedjohn’s body until the Nigerian government allows for its release.

The High Commission wishes to state that, after the postmortem, the burial should be put on hold until it is in receipt of such a directive from the Nigerian government, while the mission awaits the conclusion of the investigations.

Dispute

In that regard, Ruth Matete’s lawyer said that was unfair to do and would therefore formally meet with the embassy so that burial plans can proceed.

This is considering the embassy declined to give its pathology, saying it would rely on the government’s postmortem results.

We shall strongly communicate to the Nigerian embassy and strongly oppose the decision to hold the body at KNH. The embassy was duly informed to present a pathologist but it opted not to. It is therefore extremely unfair to withhold the body as my client needs to peacefully rest and mourn.

Ruth Matete with late husband, Belovedjohn Apewajoye

Lawyer Robert Odanga however expressed satisfaction with the postmortem results, urging all parties interested with the case to use facts before judging his client, Ruth.

We are satisfied with how the homicide department has handled the investigation and we shall support them in everything they may need.

The late Belovedjohn Apewajoye breathed his last on the 21st of April.