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The death of Sima Ibrahim, Chief Executive of Exopa Modelling Agency, has sparked a raging controversy even as family members battle authorities for the release of his mortal remains for burial in compliance with Islamic traditions. The international model was serving a 15-year jail term at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison over narcotics charges and had appealed the court�s verdict before his untimely death. Though an official autopsy report to ascertain the actual cause of his death is yet to be released, the initial explanation from the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prison Service, DSP Vitallis Aiyia, that Sima died after he had collided with someone during a football match in prison, has not gone down well with family and the public. Earlier reports said Sima, after the head-on collision with the goalkeeper on Wednesday, December 3, did not complain of any injury but went ahead to play the game to the end. It is not clear what happened between the football match on Wednesday and Thursday when he was sent to the Nsawam Government Hospital after he had complained of not feeling well. While one report had it that Sima complained of headache and the inmates had to draw the attention of the Prison Wardens who first administered first aid before rushing him to the hospital, another report said Sima actually complained of pains in his ribs and was actually vomiting blood as at the time he was rushed to the hospital. On reaching the Nsawam Government Hospital, the X-Ray machine was said to be faulty even as Sima�s condition deteriorated and he was referred to the Police Hospital in Accra. �He was taken to the Police Hospital but upon reaching, there was no available bed to put him on even before treatment. He later gave up the ghost Thursday night. It was late,� a source disclosed. �As we speak, Sima�s body has been sent to Police Hospital Morgue awaiting an autopsy to be done; and when it is done, we will make available the cause of death. He was brought to the Police Hospital last night by the national ambulance team accompanied by two officers,� Head of Public Relation ASP Juliana Obeng said while confirming Sima�s death on Friday morning. The family intended to bury him on Friday but officials refused to release the body until the cause of death has been established and necessary documentation completed, especially as Sima died a prisoner. Circumstances surrounding his death remain murky and many believe there may be more to his death than the stated explanation. Family members also say his life could have been saved if he had had early treatment. Sima Ibrahim was 39 at the time of his arrest in 2009. Even though he contested the charges preferred against him, his arrest and conviction made screaming headlines, especially given his stature in the modelling industry. Sima gave hope to a lot of Ghanaian models when he established Exopa Modelling Agency. In 2008, Sima�s Exopa Modelling Agency organised the biggest fashion and modelling event in Africa and brought to Ghana some of the continent�s biggest fashion giants and celebrities. His death came as a shock to the modelling industry and the entire entertainment fraternity. Several models took to social media on Friday to mourn and celebrate the man who gave them a career choice.