It's fake news, no new burial laws in Anambra - Law Mefor

The Anambra State Government has dismissed reports claiming Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo signed a “new burial law” imposing restrictions, including a ban on the use of cows and goats during condolence visits, describing them as false and malicious.

The state Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, while clarifying the matter said that no new burial law had been passed by the Soludo administration. 

“For the record: No new burial law has been passed by Governor Soludo’s administration. The subsisting Anambra Burial Law is the 2019 law signed by former Governor Willie Obiano,” Mefor said.

The government said the claims circulating on social media and other traditional media outlets were not contained in any section of the 2019 law. It described the assertion that cows and goats are banned at condolence visits as a fabrication intended to mislead the public and incite outrage.

Mefor faulted media organizations for publishing the report without verification, saying journalism demands accuracy, balance, and a duty to confirm claims before publication. 

“It is disappointing and irresponsible that established media houses would abandon basic verification and become conduits for viral fake news,” Mefor said.

The government urged the public to disregard the report and called on media organizations to uphold professional standards and avoid publishing unverified reports that could cause public disaffection.

Residents were advised to rely only on official communication channels of the Anambra State Government for accurate information on government policy.