Panic as cult group demands for corpse of Church Elder

…As family mourns mysterious death of finance director

A cult group has demanded for the corpse of a Qua Iboe Church Elder, Eseme Enang in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

The late Elder Enang who was alleged to be a member of the cult died in May this year after burying his late mother at Ikot Nkim village in Etim Ekpo three weeks before.  He was a director in the Ministry of Finance, in the state. 

Competent sources said shortly after he had passed on, the group allegedly dispatched a strong-worded letter to the family stating their demands. 

The Afaha Obong born cyclist who delivered the letter addressed to the late philanthropist was almost being lynched, but for the intervention of some people who advised that he should be handed over to the police. 

The police source at the state Police headquarters at Ikot Akpan Abia said that the letter had a tortoise as its logo and the mobile phone number indicated there went through to confirm that the letter was authentic.  The emissary that delivered the letter had since been granted bail.

Sources said that the bereaved family is seriously troubled as the cult group members insist on their pound of flesh even as the burial date is yet to be announced.

While the family was going through the agony of a possible showdown during the funeral service, a maternal cousin to the Late Elder Enang who was a Christ Faith Church pastor in Bayelsa died mysteriously.  

Neighbours who spoke with our correspondent said that the late Pastor Imo Akpan Udofia was living in the Late Elder’s palatial residence at Ikot Nkim and enjoyed lavish sponsorship as a student of theology at the seminary before being posted to Yenogoa.

A neighbour who refused his name in print disclosed that during the cleaning of the late Elder’s compound for the burial of his mother, a giant sized tortoise had been found.  When those who did the clearing inquired from him what should be done to the tortoise, he ordered them to throw it away.  

An eye witness said they chose to burn it to ashes in a flame of fire where a woman was cooking palm fruits within the premises of the deceased.