Why Murtala Muhammad and Alhaji Limuna’s burial is on hold

Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, says Islam permits the temporary suspension of immediate burial rites in cases like the August 6 helicopter crash that killed Environment Minister Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru (Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator), and six others.

He made this statement in an interview on Thursday, 7 August 2025, amid public discussion over whether Hon. Murtala Muhammed, a devout Muslim, should be buried immediately in line with Islamic tradition.

The Imam noted that ordinarily, it is encouraged to bury a Muslim within 24 hours of death to preserve the nobility of the human being. According to him, leaving a body for a long time, either with preservatives, in a fridge, or at the morgue, sometimes leads to decomposition, which is not dignifying.

“Death strikes under different circumstances, and this one requires investigations to prevent future recurrence,” Sheikh Aremeyaw said. He explained that although Islam encourages quick burial to preserve human dignity, exceptions are allowed in complex situations.

He pointed out that the charred state of the bodies makes identification difficult, and Islamic jurisprudence allows flexibility when burial must be delayed for autopsies and expert procedures.

“We have to allow that to be done… and following that, there will be a burial. That will not break any Islamic law,” he said. He cited other scenarios where bodies of those who die at sea or are devoured by animals are never recovered, yet prayers are still said.

There were earlier reports that Murtala Muhammed’s burial would take place the day after the incident, but it has been put on hold to make room for autopsy results and investigative clearance.

President John Mahama has also declared a three-day national mourning period to honour the victims.