It was a total shutdown in Umualaoma community, Ideato LGA of Imo State on Wednesday as Chief Stephen Arinze Ibeh, popularly known as Onwa Global and Chairman of SAFIC Industries Ltd, laid his father to rest in a grand funeral ceremony attended by top business figures and dignitaries.
The deceased, Chief Stephen Ozuome Ibeh, a respected community leader, died at the ripe age of 86.
The burial rites began with a vigil mass on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Umualaoma. A requiem mass was celebrated on the 20th of August at the same church by the Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Okwuoma.
The carnival-like funeral event drew a large turnout, including several billionaire industrialists from the South-East and over 40 different club.
The ceremony has also sparked widespread conversation over the casket used for the burial.
Rumors circulating online pegged the cost of the copper casket at about N130 million. Others argued that given current inflation, the price could now be close to N200 million.
Some observers noted similarities to a copper casket reportedly used by Chief Orabuchi, popularly known as Panteka for his in-law’s burial in Anambra State over two years ago.
Information shared by APAMS Funeral Ltd on its official social media pages confirmed that the Ibeh family purchased a copper casket from the company. However, APAMS did not disclose the price.
APAMS Funeral Ltd has been in the news in recent years for providing high-end caskets for several prominent burials.
Other notable families said to have used the firm’s copper caskets include Zenco, and Babyoku.
A source who attended the burial confirmed that Chief Stephen Arinze Ibeh might have made more than 5 billion naira from the burial considering the number of clubs that attended.
A club that attended the event was seen carrying a cheque dummy of N100M while some individuals were reportedly seen giving out as much as 20M naira
Community members described the burial as a reflection of Chief Ibeh’s standing in both business and community circles, while also reigniting debate about the rising cost and display associated with high-profile funerals in the region.
