The Anambra State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some media outlets alleging that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo introduced a new burial law imposing restrictions on condolence visits and funeral activities in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Value Re-orientation, Dr. Law Mefor, described the reports as “false, baseless and malicious,”.
Mefor insisted that no new burial law had been enacted by the Soludo administration.
The government specifically denied claims that the state had banned the use of cows and goats during condolence visits, stating that such provisions do not exist in any law currently operational in the state.
According to the statement, the applicable burial law in Anambra remains the Anambra State Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law of 2019, which was signed into law by former Governor Willie Obiano.
“The assertion that cows and goats are banned at condolence visits is a fabrication designed to mislead the public and incite unnecessary outrage,” the statement said.
The government also criticised some media organisations including Punch Newspapers, for allegedly publishing the reports without adequate verification.
“It is disappointing and irresponsible that established media houses would abandon basic verification and become conduits for viral fake news,” Mefor stated, adding that journalism requires accuracy, balance and proper fact-checking before publication.
The state government urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on official communication channels for information concerning government policies and legislation.
