Man Dies at a Funeral after Drinking Competition

An alcohol-drinking contest has claimed one life and hospitalized two others in a Benin hospital. The deceased, Famous Ogbeide, 25, and three others were drinking different brands of hot drinks at the funeral of their friend’s father. TheNation reports that he emerged winner in the first and second rounds of the contest, but failed to collect his prize of N4,000 as he died in the hospital. Sources said the contest was initiated by one of the youths at the party.

The victim allegedly collapsed by the roadside after gulping the drink. It was also gathered that one of the victims pulled out of the contest when he began to cough and vomit. The police have arrested the organiser of the funeral party who was said to have arrived Nigeria from Malaysia the day before. The deceased’s mother said her son told her he was attending a funeral of his friend’s father. She added that his father died last December. Police spokesperson DSP Joseph Edoigiawerie said the case was being handled by the homicide department of the state police command headquarters, Benin City.