Senator Dr. Joseph Wayas is a notable Nigerian politician and statesman who served as the President of the Senate during Nigeria's Second Republic (1979-1983).
Some Major facts about the late Senator Joseph Wayas:
1. Birth: May 21, 1941, in Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria
2. Education: University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Bachelor's degree in Political Science); University of London (Master's degree in International Relations); University of Keele (Ph.D. in Political Science)
3. Political career:
- Member, Nigerian Senate (1979-1983)
- President of the Senate (1979-1983)
- Member, Nigerian People's Party (NPP)
4. Contributions:
- Played a key role in the drafting of Nigeria's 1979 Constitution
- Advocated for democracy, human rights, and good governance
- Served as a bridge between the military government and civilian politicians during Nigeria's transition to democracy in the late 1970s
5. Legacy:
- Remembered as a principled, intelligent, and charismatic leader
- Respected for his commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law
Senator Wayas passed away on November 30, 2021, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to Nigeria and its people.
His Death
Senator Dr. Joseph Wayas died on November 30, 2021, at the age of 80, in a London hospital, following a protracted illness . The former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, died in a London hospital on November 30, 2021, at the age of 80, following a protracted illness . The nature of the illness was not disclosed.
The Death of Wife of former Senate President ,Dr Joseph Wayas
The wife of former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, died 12 days after his death on November 30, 2021 . Senator Joseph Wayas' wife was buried before his own burial, which was delayed due to the family disputes over his estate and funeral arrangements. She was buried shortly after her death, 12 days after his passing, while his body remained in the morgue for over two years until the disputes were resolved and he could be laid to rest. Her name is not specified in any of the sources mentioning the death of the former Senate President and his wife.
The Family Members Disagreements and Controversies After The Death of Late Senator ,Dr Joseph Wayas
The burial of Senator Joseph Wayas was delayed due to disagreements among his immediate family members . The family members were in dispute over the handling of the funeral, with accusations of misappropriation of funds of 200 million naira given to the family for the burial arrangements by the Nigeria Government and disagreements over the representation of the late senator's estate .
The Nigerian government gave the family of former Senate President Joseph Wayas N200 million to help with burial expenses . However, Wayas' body remains in a London hospital since his death in November 2021 due to family disagreements . The eldest son, Joe, who received the financial aid from the government misappropriated the funds for his personal use as he has failed to give proper account of how the funds were used for the benefit of their father’s health and upkeep. His son, Joe Wayas, claims he did not receive or spend any of the funeral funds and challenges the funeral committee to provide an account of their expenditures . The committee, however, accuses Joe Wayas of refusing to follow up on the burial arrangements and of suing his father's second wife, whom he claims was never recognized as a wife .
The disputes were so intense that the first son, Joe Wayas, went to court to prevent the senator's second wife from presenting herself as the representative of the estate .
According to various sources, the properties in dispute include:
1. A mansion in Abuja, Nigeria
2. A house in London, United Kingdom
3. A plot of land in Cross River State, Nigeria
4. Shares in a company
5. Other assets and investments
Please note that the exact properties and details may not be publicly disclosed, as this is a sensitive family matter. The disputes have been reported in various Nigerian news outlets, but the specific details may vary.
According to reports also, Senator Joseph Wayas did not leave a will before his death, which contributed to the disputes over his estate and properties. Without a will, the distribution of his assets and properties is being determined by Nigerian law and the court, which can lead to conflicts and disagreements among family members and beneficiaries. The absence of a will has made the resolution of the disputes more challenging, and the court is now involved in determining how the estate should be distributed.
In many African cultures, including in Nigeria, it is customary for the family to come together to plan and organize the funeral and burial of a loved one. If there are disputes and disagreements among the family members, it can delay or even prevent the burial from taking place. In this case, the disputes over Senator Joseph Wayas' estate and properties delayed his burial for over two years, until the issues were resolved and the family could come together to give him a proper burial.
In many African cultures, including in Nigeria, the funeral and burial rites are considered a critical aspect of honoring and respecting the deceased. Delaying the burial can be seen as disrespectful and inauspicious.
In this case, the priority should have been giving the senator a dignified burial, regardless of the family disputes. The properties and estate could have been sorted out later, as it's not uncommon for families to resolve inheritance issues after the funeral.
The delay in burying the senator has been widely criticized in Nigeria, with many seeing it as a reflection of the prioritization of material wealth over respect for the deceased and cultural traditions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the family of Senator Joseph Wayas has been embroiled in a prolonged dispute over his estate and burial arrangements, leading to a delay in his burial. The senator's wife passed away 12 days after his death, but her funeral was held promptly, while his body remained in a London hospital for over two years. The disagreements among family members, including his son Joe Wayas, have sparked accusations of misappropriation of funds and hindered the resolution of the senator's burial and estate matters.
The body of the Late Senator Dr. Joseph Wayas was recently flown into Abuja, Nigeria on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, two years and nine months after his death in the United Kingdom . Senator Wayas served as the President of the Senate during Nigeria's Second Republic . He was born May 21, 1941, and died November 30, 2021.