Anambra State Government has dismissed reports claiming that a new law regulating burial rites and banning expensive condolence gifts has been introduced in the state.
The clarification was issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Franklin Osankwa, following widespread reports on social media alleging that the state had outlawed lavish burial ceremonies and prohibited the presentation of cows, goats, and other costly items during condolence visits.
In a statement released to journalists, Osankwa described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that the current Assembly did not enact any new burial legislation.
“The eighth Anambra State House of Assembly did not pass any new burial law. No such bill was introduced, debated or passed by the current Assembly,” the statement read.
According to him, the burial regulatory framework being referenced in media reports was originally enacted in 2019, years before the inauguration of the present Assembly.
He further explained that no amendment has been made by the current lawmakers regarding funeral activities or condolence practices as widely reported.
“The existing burial regulatory framework being mischievously referenced by some media platforms was enacted into law in 2019, long before the inauguration of the present eighth Assembly,” he stated.
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Osankwa accused some media platforms of spreading sensational reports capable of misleading the public and creating unnecessary controversy.
“It is irresponsible and professionally unethical to attribute a non-existent ‘new law’ to the present Assembly simply to generate traffic, controversy and public outrage,” he added.
The Assembly spokesman stressed that the legislature remains committed to transparent and people-oriented lawmaking, assuring residents that citizens would always be properly informed about any legitimate legislation before the House.
He urged members of the public to disregard the circulating reports and rely only on verified information released through official government channels.
The clarification follows intense reactions generated by reports claiming that Anambra had introduced fresh restrictions on funeral ceremonies, including bans on lavish spending and presentation of expensive gifts during burials and condolence visits.