Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, has reinforced the company’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy in his New Year message to staff.
The address, circulated among colleagues across the organisation, and titled, we achieved. ‘We drive the future,’ highlighted both reflection and resolve.
Ojulari noted that 2025 tested the organisation’s capacity for disciplined execution.
He pointed to record-breaking production levels as evidence of operational maturity.
The 355,000 barrels per day milestone strengthened national revenue flows.
In his words, “Exploration and Production achieved a record 355 thousand barrels of oil per day — the highest level since 1989.
“We advanced production through Madu First Oil, Soku Pipeline optimisation, and the Akpo West Start-up, while commissioning Gbaran Nodal Compression Train.
“We reached major infrastructure milestones with the commissioning of ANOH-OB3 pipeline and the successful AKK River Niger crossing.
“NNPC Retail expanded its footprint into the West African sub-region with our lubricant brand Oleum.
“We successfully hosted the first-ever NNPC Group Earnings Call, announcing our audited 2024 financial results.
“We strengthened employee well-being through a much-improved compensation package.
“We welcomed 1,000 Tigers into our organisation to intentionally build the next generation of NNPC leaders.
“Our Board showed visible support for execution excellence by approving the new Delegation of Authority and Delegation of Financial Authority frameworks to improve efficiency and empower leadership across the business.
“Behind each of these milestones are our people — your expertise, your judgement, and your belief in the potential of our organisation. These accomplishments belong to all of us collectively and each of us should proudly identify with these great strides. Across every Directorate, asset, and office, your collaboration, ownership, and commitment remain the true foundation of our success.”
These projects, he said, reduce bottlenecks and unlock economic activity.
The GCEO credited the workforce for sustaining momentum under pressure.
He highlighted reforms that improved governance, speed, and accountability.
For 2026, Ojulari reaffirmed commitment to the Presidential Mandate on production growth.
He stressed that NNPC Limited’s mandate goes beyond profit to national impact.
He outlined four strategic pillars guiding the future:
Execution excellence topped the agenda; profitable growth ensures sustainability; partnership remains critical to success; an enterprise-first mindset fosters unity; execution excellence will guide planning and delivery; profitable growth will ensure sustainability and investor confidence.
The message positions NNPC Limited as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future.
The Super Eagles clinched the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt in a tense penalty shootout following a goalless draw in the third-place playoff.
In a hard-fought encounter at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, both sides battled intensely but failed to break the deadlock after 90 minutes.
The match went straight to penalties, where Nigeria held their nerve to triumph 4-2.
Ademola Lookman sealed the victory with a composed spot-kick, capping a dramatic shootout that saw the Super Eagles convert their chances decisively.
This win extends Nigeria’s perfect record in AFCON third-place matches, marking their record ninth bronze medal.
Despite the disappointment of their semi-final penalty defeat to hosts Morocco, the Super Eagles bounced back with resilience and determination, ending the tournament on a high note and delivering pride to millions of Nigerians.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria this evening after leading the country’s delegation to the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the United Arab Emirates, where Nigeria secured fresh economic and climate-focused commitments.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, confirmed his expected return in a statement on Saturday.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates, a deal aimed at deepening economic cooperation between both countries.
The CEPA is expected to boost bilateral trade and investment, enhance technology transfer and expand collaboration across strategic sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
Addressing participants at the summit, President Tinubu announced that Nigeria would host a joint Nigeria–UAE INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February, describing the initiative as a platform designed to attract global investors and strengthen international confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda.
He also disclosed Nigeria’s ambition to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance as the country accelerates energy transition reforms and expands electricity access nationwide.
According to the President, the financing drive aligns with his administration’s broader push to position Nigeria as a leading destination for sustainable investment while addressing development gaps in power generation, transmission and distribution.
The Abu Dhabi trip formed part of President Tinubu’s ongoing economic diplomacy, leveraging global platforms to secure partnerships and capital flows in support of Nigeria’s growth, climate commitments and long-term industrial transformation.
The President was accompanied to the summit by senior government officials and Ministers relevant to the discussions held during the week-long global sustainability forum.
Nigerian stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will not start for the Super Eagles in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 third-place playoff against Egypt.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle opted to rotate his squad for Nigeria’s final game of the tournament in Morocco, making five changes to the team that lost on penalties to Morocco in the semi-finals. Alex Iwobi has also been named among the substitutes.
Paul Onuachu will lead the line for Nigeria while Moses Simon takes over the captain’s armband and starts on the wing. Samuel Chukwueze, who missed his penalty in the semi-final shootout defeat, is handed a starting role as Chelle looks to freshen up his attacking options.
In defence, Igoh Ogbu is the only change, coming in for the suspended Calvin Bassey. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru also starts as Nigeria aim to end the tournament on a positive note.
The Super Eagles are chasing a ninth bronze medal in AFCON history and boast an impressive record in third-place matches, having never lost one.
Super Eagles Starting XI
Stanley Nwabali; Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon (C); Akor Adams, Paul Onuachu.
The controversial pregnancy of a ‘rescued’ 13-year-old girl in the custody of an orphanage belonging to the Lagos State Government is causing ripples in Aboru area of Alimosho Government Area of the state, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.
Friday Akor, a native of Benue State, is dismayed that his 13-year-old daughter in the custody of an orphanage belonging to the Lagos State Government is carrying a pregnancy.
Taken to Lagos in December 2024 to stay with her aunt, Faith Amodu, she was enrolled at Dan Esther Nursery and Primary School situated a stone’s throw from Faith’s residence at No 21, Joseph Onifade Street, Aboru, Lagos.
A Primary 3 pupil, Blessing’s story took a dramatic turn in June 2025 when she suddenly disappeared from home for four days.
Findings by neighbours and her guardian later revealed that she was taken away by a young woman described as a neighbour.
The case was reported at the Oke-Odo Police Station, following which the woman in question was invited to the station to produce the girl, but she was said to have declined.
In the heat of police insistence on arresting the woman if she did not return the girl, she was said to have taken Blessing to the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Alausa, Ikeja, claiming that Blessing was being maltreated by her guardian.
The matter took a twist after the guardian and a community leader visited the ministry in search of Blessing but were directed to report at Alausa Police Station.
Initially, the police wanted to detain her guardian, Faith, at the instance of the ministry. She was, however, released after explaining that Blessing was enrolled in a school and was not maltreated.
It was said that the Ministry refused to release Blessing to Faith and the community leader and demanded family photographs confirming that the Blessing was related to her guardian.
But despite producing the photographs, the Ministry allegedly remained obstinate, demanding the presence of the girl’s family members. This prompted her father to come to Lagos, but Blessing was still not released to her family members.
Instead, she was taken to a state-owned orphanage in Isolo part of Lagos.
Matters became complicated after several fruitless visits and the discovery in December that the 13-year-old girl was pregnant. Her father, who spoke with our correspondent, said Blessing was about five months pregnant.
He said: “I had to come down to Lagos from my base in Benue State when I received the news that my daughter had not been released to her guardian who is also my sister, and one of my older brothers who represented the family.
“To my surprise, we discovered that she was already pregnant when I saw her.
“I was told at the Ministry that an unnamed person impregnated my daughter at a government orphanage she was taken to, and I feel bad about the development.
“I will be going to the orphanage located around Isolo on Tuesday, January 13, because I want to know exactly what happened to my daughter, as she was not pregnant when she was taken to government custody.”
Blessing’s guardian, Faith Amodu, who works in a human hair production firm at Ikeja, in a brief telephone conversation with our correspondent on Wednesday evening, confirmed the case and promised to call back in to provide further details. She, however, had not fulfilled her promise at press time.
Speaking on the matter, a community leader and chairman of Ayedade Community Development Association (CDA), Aboru, Pastor Obagbolabo Orefuyi, recalled how the matter started and the turn of events.
Pastor Orefuyi said: “The girl, Blessing, was brought to Lagos sometime in December 2024 and she stayed with her aunt named Faith Amodu.
“She is a Primary 3 pupil of a private school in the neighborhood of Aboru.
“Around June 2025, Blessing disappeared from home for four days without a trace, and everyone in the neighbourhood searched for her until we found out that she was taken away by a lady who lives at nearby Adeshina Bamgboye Street.
“We went to the Oke-Odo Divsional Police Headquarters to report the case. The lady’s phone was tracked and she was asked to come to the station with the girl she took away from home.
“But she refused, saying that she had also reported the case at a police station in the Ajah area of Lagos.
“Later, we got a report that she had taken Blessing to the department handling child maltreatment at the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, apparently to escape arrest.
“She lied to the Ministry that she rescued the girl because she was not in school and that she was being maltreated by her guardian, who she claimed was not Blessing’s relative.
“We visited the Ministry and were asked to proceed to the Alausa Police Division to document the case.
“To our shock, the police attempted to detain Faith Amodu at the instance of the Ministry, based on false accusations.
“Eventually, Faith was released and when we got back to the Ministry, Faith was asked to provide family photographs to confirm her relationship and a prominent member of her family.
“The photographs were provided and the girl’s uncle even came from their hometown in Benue State and visited the Ministry, yet, the girl was not released but was instead taken to a state-owned orphanage.”
It was in the heat of the stalemate that Blessing’s father came to Lagos and visited the Ministry of Youth and Social Development only to discover his daughter’s controversial pregnancy.
“Blessing’s father came to Lagos after he was told that the state government was not willing to release her.
“Surprisingly, when he had access to her daughter, he found her pregnant and the pregnancy as of December 2025 was more than four months old.
“The Ministry had no tangible explanation about the circumstances surrounding Blessing’s pregnancy.
“The only explanation offered was that she was an hyperactive girl who moved from one office to another in custody as was caught on camera at the orphanage,” Orefuyi added.
When our correspondent visited the house where Blessing resided with her guardian until her disappearance from home, her guardian was not available.
“However, sources described Blessing as a good girl whose future is being fractured by cirunmstances beyond her understanding.
“Blessing is a good girl. She does not deserve the kind of situation she has found herself.
“While the lady who took her away and later dumped her with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has a blame in this matter, the state government takes a greater blame for mishandling the matter to the extent that the teenage girl is now carrying an unwanted pregnancy while in government’s custody.
“It’s a big shame,” the source who is a neighbour said.
Responding to an inquiry sent to his WhatsApp by our correspondent, the Head of Public Affairs Department at the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Gabriel Esiwele promised to revert to our correspondent. He however did not do so at press time.
• Assembly asks CJ to raise panel to probe allegations against gov
• State High Court bars him from constituting panel
• Why peace deal, fence-mending failed, by legislators
• Lawmakers got N350m constituency allowance each under Ibas – Fubara’s aide
It is now up to Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chubuzor Amadi, to choose between the call from the State Assembly to him to set up a panel to probe its allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the interim injunction by a court restraining him (CJ) from receiving or acting on any notice to impeach the governor and his deputy.
Both choices were placed before Justice Amadi yesterday.
Having waited for seven days without receiving a response from Fubara on the allegations of misconduct it sent to him, the State Assembly reconvened yesterday in Port Harcourt and directed the CJ to establish a seven-member committee to begin the process of removing the governor and his deputy.
Simultaneously, a state high court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area issued an interim injunction restraining him from receiving, forwarding, considering or acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or any form of communication from Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other members of the State House of Assembly for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct against the governor and his deputy.
But the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which announced last week that it had set up a high powered committee to reconcile the feuding sides in the Rivers imbroglio, was optimistic yesterday that truce was around the corner.
Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Boladei Igali, said the committee met with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Thursday and had scheduled separate meetings with Fubara and other stakeholders for last night in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State legislators claimed yesterday that the governor and his deputy had no intention of stopping their alleged disobedience of the Constitution.
They accused Fubara and Odu of mastering the act of manipulating leaders and public opinion against the House rather than retracing their steps.
“The governor and his deputy are acting as if the Rivers State House of Assembly does not exist,” the lawmakers said.
Continuing, they said: “They (gov and dep.gov) are boasting that members cannot enforce the constitution. It seems like the governor and his deputy are above the law and will continue to do whatever they like against the arm of the government that is empowered to check the executive.
“While members were considering calls from the stakeholders, the governor and his deputy were busy using various platforms to attack us in the media, misinforming the public and trying to use some state institutions like the EFCC to intimidate us.
“They have refused to respond to any of the allegations and particulars of gross misconduct but would use innuendos of ‘barking dogs’ to spite us and insisting that they will not respect the legislature or work with members of the Assembly.”
The lawmakers said many of the stakeholders asking them to rescind their decision were not willing to advise the governor to do the right thing.
They said: “The governor is the aggressor, serial offender of our constitution and a serious threat to our democracy. The sure path to a sustainable peace and progress of our state is the rule of law, separation of power and respect for the Constitution.
“In a bid to gain and win sympathy for the governor and the deputy governor, many who don’t mean well for Rivers simply reduced everything to a disagreement between our political leader and the governor.
“But the real problem is that the governor and his deputy are at fault with the grundnorm to achieve their political goals. We urge the people of Rivers to read the notice of allegations against the governor.”
The legislators blamed the governor for the failure of previous efforts to resolve the crisis because, according to them, he refused to adhere to any agreement.
“It is obvious that the only solution now is to apply the solution prescribed by the 1999 Constitution as altered, which is the impeachment of the governor and his deputy,” they said and appealed to the people of the state to “carefully consider the problem at hand and understand that the impeachment process is the best way to go at this point.”
They thanked President Bola Tinubu who, according to them, “has demonstrated so much love for Rivers in resolving this crisis but the governor and his deputy are adamant.”
They vowed to continue to “defend you and the constitution of the country.”
The legislators were soon rejoined by their four colleagues who had earlier called for leniency for the governor, and adoption of political solution.
The lawmakers backed the impeachment process against Fubara and Odu, saying the duo had refused to retrace their steps.
One of them, Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo (Omuma constituency), said the governor refused to seek political solution to the crisis.
He accused Fubara and Odu of sending their aides to attack members of the s State House of Assembly.
He said: “Recall that on January 12, myself and my colleague, Peter Abbey, addressed the press, wherein we made a plea to our colleagues to seek a political solution to this impasse that is going on between the Assembly and the governor.”
“During the pendency of this appeal, we found that the governor and the deputy had implored their media boys and aides to continuously attack the Rivers State House of Assembly instead of seeking a political solution that we offered.
“It is on this basis that I and my colleague are saying that the impeachment proceeding should continue. We have rescinded our plea.”
Bariele Nwako, who similarly dropped their appeal for a political solution, said: “Regrettably, the governor and the deputy governor have sent signals to us that they are not prepared to retrace their steps and govern in line with the constitution; they are adamant.
“Their strategy is to intimidate us into withdrawing the impeachment process for the third time while they continue their infractions of the Constitution and the law. On this note, we are continuing with the impeachment process.”
Emilia Lucky-Amadi said: “The governor and deputy are ignoring us; they are insisting that they will not govern in line with the constitution, and nothing will happen.
“There are strong indications that they are adamant with their decisions to continue with illegal actions and are boasting that we do not matter and cannot perform oversight functions.”
Moments after addressing the public, the assembly reconvened and directed Chief Judge Amadi to constitute a seven-member committee to begin the process of removing Fubara and Odu.
Citing relevant sections of the constitution at yesterday’s plenary session of the House, Speaker Amaewhule said the process of removing the governor and his deputy would continue with or without their responses to the allegations against them.
His words: “Distinguished colleagues, let me read what is provided in the constitution. It states within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any delay, whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.”
He subsequently asked the members to vote on whether the allegations of misconduct against the governor and the deputy governor be investigated or not.
All members, including the four who had earlier publicly opted out of the impeachment move, voted in support of investigation.
He then said: “Distinguished colleagues, by this voting, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved that the investigations against allegations of gross misconduct leveled against His Excellency the governor of Rivers State shall proceed.
“By virtue of Section 188 subsection 5, I will ensure that the resolution of this House is immediately communicated to the Chief Judge.”
Amaewhule, in the letter to the Chief judge, said: “I write to request that you appoint a panel of seven (7) persons to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against His Excellency, Sir Siminalaye Fubara the Governor of Rivers State pursuant to section 188(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The House resolved in compliance with section 188(4) of the Constitution that these allegations be investigated.”
Attached to the letter were copies of the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct; acknowledged copy of the Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct; copies of the Rivers State Impeachment Panel (Conduct of Investigations) Procedure, 2025; photocopies of newspaper publications of The Nation, The Guardian and The Sun, as well as other relevant documents.
Fubara, Odu secure court order to stop impeachment
Fubara and Odu yesterday approached and got an interim injunction from the State High Court in Oyigbo Local Government Area to stop their planned impeachment.
Justice F.A. Fiberesima restrained Chief Judge Amadi from receiving, forwarding, considering and or however acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other document or communication from one to twenty-seventh defendants (the Speaker and other members of the State Assembly) for the purposes of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the governor and his deputy for seven days.
The court also granted leave to the claimants/ applicants to serve the interim order, the originating processes in the suits and all other subsequent processes.
The court directed that the interim order, the originating processes in the suits to be served on the 32 defendants and the Chief Judge of the state through any staff of Judiciary at the Chief Judge’s Chambers within the court premises.
Hearing in the case was adjourned to the 23rd of January, 2026.
PANDEF intensifies peace efforts
Contacted yesterday on the peace initiative of PANDEF, the National Chairman of the foremost South South group, Ambassador Igali, said the committee chairman informed him that he had a successful meeting with Wike on Thursday while further meetings with other stakeholders, including Fubara, were on the cards.
“As at today, members of the committee are holding meetings with other stakeholders including the governor. As we are talking they are with the governor right now holding a meeting. Let us allow them to do their job,” he said.
He added: “They are senior and mature people and elder statesmen and women. When your children have a misunderstanding you go with an open heart to make peace. PANDEF is a non-partisan body and we are all elders.
“We picked people who cannot be influenced and people of high moral standing, who can give clear and objective advice in the interest of the parties, the state and the country.
“Rivers state is an important state. Things that are happening to Rivers state are critical to the national economy and even the global energy situation. PANDEF, under my leadership, cannot fold its hands and watch.
“Rivers State elders have shown courage. But some of the parties may take them for granted because they are in the local scene. We are only joining their efforts to make peace and we will get there.
“In this world, men must have conflict. But at the end of the conflict, it is the negotiation table that solves everything. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. We are looking at a win-win situation where there is no winner and no loser.
“I am optimistic that the team PANDEF has picked are people that have the panache and the experience and knowledge to broker peace.
“The whole country is waiting on them. Yesterday (Thursday) the chairman of the committee said he had a successful meeting with the minister of the FCT in Abuja.
“Members of the committee proceeded to Port Harcourt and since morning they have been holding meetings with different groups. They will be there till early next week and by God’s grace we will get somewhere.
“Mr President has tried his best so we are trying to complement his efforts.”
Lawmakers got N350m each for constituency projects, says Fubara’s aide
A Special Adviser to Governor Fubara, Darlington Orji, alleged yesterday that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly received N350 million each for constituency projects.
He said the funds were disbursed during the tenure of former Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas.
Orji made the allegation yesterday while appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he addressed questions surrounding the budget process and recent tensions between the executive and the legislature.
Orji said the N100,000 offered the assemblymen for Christmas was the same amount given to civil servants.
Orji could not understand the rejection of the money by the legislators, claiming that the same people had previously accepted N350 million each for constituency projects without raising concerns about appropriation.
He said: “You know that in preparing budget, there are too many things that will be improved that will make up the appropriation bill. And when they say their interest was not captured, and the man (Fubara) said, don’t worry, by December.
“So the specific amount I do not know as it stands today, because that presentation was not made because His Excellency, the governor, refused to accept that. But don’t forget, in December, there was N100,000 that was given to civil servants as a way of appreciating them. It was also given to the members of Rivers. Some people rejected the money.
“They rejected it, that it was not appropriated. You cannot build something on nothing. Now, you rejected N100,000 because it was not appropriated. Can you ask them, please, sir, the N350 million that was given to each of them for their constituency projects, where did it come from? Why did they not reject it since it was not appropriated?
“It was Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator, after the signing of the Appropriation Act, that the budget had been passed to law, it was there they gave them the money. Why did they not say it was not captured?”
Last Sunday, the Chairman of the Rivers House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, alleged that the Assembly had received “credible information” on alleged moves by certain individuals to secure ex parte orders from outside the Port Harcourt Judicial Division to prevent the legislature from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
He said the impeachment process was “fully on course in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
“The two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy Governor have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, while we await their responses.”
Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution stipulates as follows:(1) The Governor or Deputy Governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions or Deputy Governor of this section.
(2) Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly.
(b) stating that the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified. the speaker of the House of Assembly shall, within seven days of the receipt of the notice, cause a copy of the notice to be served on the holder of the office and on each member of the House of Assembly, and shall also cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the office, to be served on each member of the House of Assembly.
(3) Within fourteen days of the presentation of the notice to the speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice-, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated.
(4) A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly.
(5) Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief judge of the State shall at the request of the speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section.
(6) The holder of an office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person or be represented before the panel by a legal practitioner of his own choice.
(7) A Panel appointed under this section shall-
(a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly; and within three months ot its appointment, report its findings to the House of Assembly.
(8) Where the Panel reports to the House of Assembly that the allegation has not ben proved,no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter.
(9)Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the office has been proved, then within fourteen days of the receipt of the report, the House of Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of the House of Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report.
(10)No proceedings of determination of the Panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings shall be entertained or questioned in court.
A senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye told The Nation yesterday that under the law, the Chief Judge “cannot refuse to act unless there is a legal impediment which forbids him from acting.”
“I submit that if there is a valid court order barring the CJ from empanelling, then as a law officer he must respect the order.
“I am not unaware of the provisions of Section 188(10) which preclude judicial Interference with the process but I am of the view that only the panel or the House of Assembly cannot be stopped. But the appointor- the CJ-could be stopped by a court order if there are legal reasons to do so.
“Important requirements:
The panel members must be persons of unquestionable integrity.
They must not be public officers.
They must not be members of any political party.
“This is very important. The Chief Judge must be well guided by this provision as he is not at liberty to appoint people of questionable character or fill the committee with known enemies of the Governor or the Deputy.
“Politicians are excluded. The law allows the CJ to choose even non indigenes of the state who fit the criteria.
“Also the panel must allow legal representation for the Governor or Deputy. The panelists need not be lawyers or Judges. Members of the larger society with ability to understand the purport of the allegations and take a reasonable decision thereon.”
Another senior advocate, Chief Wale Taiwo, said: “Although the Chief Judge is under no constitutional duty to share the power of appointment of the seven persons with his brother Judges, it will not be a bad exercise of power to consult his learned brothers, particularly the most senior ones.
“It will not be wrong if he asks them for names. The CJ is not bound by the names they send to him but at the end of the day, there will be mutuality of confidence in the matter and that is good both for the Chief Judge and his learned brother Judges.
“The Chief Judge is a man of law and good judgment and should be trusted to take decisions with egalitarian outlook. The search for membership of the Panel need not be confined to the geographical territory of the State.
“The Constitution does not so restrict the appointment. A member can be picked and appointed from another state. He could be an indigene of the state. He need not be.
“As a matter of law, the search could go to the Diaspora, if necessary, with a view to ensuring that the essence of checks and balances inherent in Section 188(5) is observed.
“Beyond the foregoing, however, is the obvious socio-political fall out that may attend such panel’s membership and the execution of its mandate. Thus, care must be taken to avoid a panel which may be at risk of not bringing about a genuine outcome.”
• Okays ex-gov, sons’ trial over alleged N1.35b fraud
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by Aminu Sule Lamido, the 34-year-old son of the former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, against his conviction on the charge of failure to declare $40,000 cash at the airport and false declaration of foreign currency brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The apex court, in a unanimous judgment of a five-member panel on yesterday, resolved all the three issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellant.
In the lead judgment written by Justice Adamu Jauro but read by Justice Abubakar Umar, the apex court held that the appeal marked: SC/CV/201/2016 lacked merit, dismissed it and affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, which upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano.
The Federal High Court, Kano had in its judgment on July 12, 2015 convicted Aminu and ordered him to forfeit 25 per cent of the undeclared foreign currency to the Federal Government.
Operatives of the EFCC had on December 11, 2012, arrested Aminu at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on his way to Egypt for failing to declare the sum of $40,000 cash in the Customs Currency Declaration Form after initially declaring the statutory $10,000 cash to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
Aminu, a 2010 graduate of Mass a Communication from the Bayero University Kano, was subsequently arraigned by the EFCC on February 4, 2013, on one count charge of false declaration of foreign currency under the Money Laundering Act.
The charge reads: “That you, Aminu Sule Lamido, on or about 11th day of December, 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while transporting in cash, the sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars only) from Nigeria to Cairo, Egypt, falsely declare to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of $10,000 (Ten Thousand dollars only) instead of the said sum of $50,000(fifty thousand dollars only) as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.”
Aminu was subsequently arraigned by the EFCC before a Federal High Court in Kano, and in a judgment on July 12, 2015 the court convicted him and ordered him to forfeit 25 per cent of the undeclared foreign currency to the Federal Government.
He faulted the judgment and appealed at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna but lost when the appellate court in a judgment on December 7, 2015 dismissed the appeal and affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Kano.
Aminu subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, which appeal was dismissed yesterday.
Also yesterday, the Supreme Court ordered that the stalled trial of former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, his two sons and others over alleged N1.35billion fraud should resume before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A five-member panel of the apex court issued the order in two unanimous judgments delivered in the two appeals filed in the name of the Federal Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Both appeals were against the July 25, 2023 judgments by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the no-case submission made by Lamido and others and struck out the 37-count charge on which they were being prosecuted on the grounds that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.
In the lead judgment of the Supreme Court, Justice Abubakar Umar set aside the July 25, 2023 judgments of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the earlier decision by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja which overruled the no-case submissions by Lamido and others and ordered to enter their defence.
The EFCC, in the 37-count charge, among others, accused Lamido of abusing his position as governor between 2007 and 2015, allegedly laundering sums of money received as kickbacks from companies that were awarded contracts by the Jigawa State Government under his leadership.
The other defendants charged alongside Lamido are: his two sons – Aminu and Mustapha; Aminu Wada Abubakar and their companies – Bamaina Holdings Ltd and Speeds International Ltd.
Trial commenced in the case in 2015 during which the EFCC called about 16 witnesses before closing its case, and in a ruling in 2022, Justice Ojukwu overruled the defendants’ no-case submission and ordered them to enter their defence.
Lamido and others appealed to the Court of Appeal, which, in its decision on July 25, 2023, was in favour of the appellants.
Justice Adamu Waziri, in the lead concurrent judgment of a three-member, overturned Justice Ojukwu’s decision and held, among others, that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to entertain the charge.
Justice Waziri was of the view that the alleged offences took place in Jigawa State, and on that ground, the charge ought to be filed in a Federal High Court in Jigawa State and not Abuja.
The court then struck out the charges and discharged the defendants; a decision the EFCC appealed to the Supreme Court.
The social media space in Nigeria last week took a breather from the political fireworks characteristic of some of the platforms, buzzing with tales of how hospitals designed to save lives have turned into graveyards with the negligence and avarice of some medical doctors. The sad narratives followed the death of Nkanu, a 21-month-old son of renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The unsavoury development was compounded by a disturbing report on how a mother of five died in Kano after a surgery in which a surgeon forgot scissors in her body. There are concerns that these ugly developments could spike medical tourism abroad and skyrocket demands for foreign exchange, INNOCENT DURU reports.
• Tragic tales of doctors’ negligence turning hospitals into morgues
• Fashion entrepreneur Toyin Lawani narrates ordeal at hospital where Chimamanda’s son died
• ‘How doctors made wrong diagnosis, forced us to have surgeries’
The world stood still for Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie last week. Not for her literary ingenuity but the loss of her son, which many believe will remain indelible in her heart. Sadly, Chimamanda expressed doubts over her ability to survive the unfortunate incident.
In a message chronicling how her son died, the Anambra born author said she had come to Lagos for Christmas when Nkanu had “what we first thought was just a cold but soon turned into a very serious infection, and he was admitted to Atlantis Hospital.”
According to her, Nkanu was to travel to the US the next day (January 7), accompanied by travelling doctors.
She said: “A team at John Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore. The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu’s flight.
“Atlantis Hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done.”
In the morning of the 6th, she said, “we left Atlantis Hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father’s arms.
“We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the ‘central line’ procedure.
“I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater, and immediately knew something had happened.”
She said a short time later, a medical official she referred to as Dr M came out and “told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated.
“But suddenly, Nkanu was on a ventilator. He was intubated and placed in the ICU.
“The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest.
“All these had never happened before.
“Some hours later, Nkanu was gone
“It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol.
“The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive.
“How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him?, she asked rhetorically, adding
“Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU!
“The anesthesiologist was criminalky negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child.
“No proper protocol was followed.”
In a tone laced with palpable emotions,Chimamanda said: “We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever.
“It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.
“We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working?
Nkanu’s death stirred a lot of reactions and counter reactions from the bereaved, the hospital, medical profession, legal practitioners and disturbed members of the society.
Following Chimamanda’s loss, celebrity fashion entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani has also revealed that her medical ordeal began with a spine surgery implant at the Euracare Hospital. In an Instagram post, Lawani recounted severe medical negligence that left her with long-term, life-altering health complications.
She said: “Every time I say that if you have health issues in Nigeria and you make it out alive, just thank your stars, people feel the comment is meant to berate Nigerian hospitals.
“I saw one foolish person saying trash about me last week, all because I was speaking from experience. I just ignored it. You spend close to ₦100 million on hospital bills and they still mismanage your health.
“They thought I was joking when I said I was going to sue, but I said they should just wait until I am stronger.
“Most of these hospitals just put on a front with white staff, and the aftercare is terrible. I am still suffering the consequences of Euracare right now.
“One issue takes you there, and another issue sends you home.
“I kept asking myself why I did my spine surgery implant in Nigeria. Till today, I still cannot speak well or walk well. I had complications and started bleeding in my lungs.
“I had to be taken back into the theatre the next day to be re-operated on.”
Describing a night when her heart “ceased” after being given injections, requiring urgent intervention, she said that despite undergoing three back-to-back surgeries at Euracare, her condition deteriorated, with severe lung infections and breathing difficulties.
She said the situation became so dire that she was airlifted to the United Kingdom for emergency care. UK doctors, she said, discovered a significant lung infection and performed another surgery immediately.
“Before I knew it, I stopped breathing. They had to puncture my lungs, and they damaged my vocal cords,” she said.
“I remember a night when I was given two injections and my heart seized. I could not breathe. @Prettydammy2 and @Segun_Wealth witnessed it; her husband had to threaten them.
“The trauma I faced in that hospital for months is something I still cannot get over till date. I am still in and out of the hospital till now because of this.
“They do not even care if there is mismanagement; you will still pay. I lost the use of my two legs after I was sent home and ended up back in that hospital again.
“I had to call the ENT doctor in the UK. He then told them to operate for the third time to remove the tracheotomy tube from my lungs and see if I could breathe on my own without it.
“After that surgery, I was on the next flight to the UK with my family the following day.
“When I got here. The doctors told me I had to undergo another surgery and said I had an infection in my lungs.
“When they showed me the large lumps they removed afterward, I was in shock.
“After three back-to-back surgeries in the same hospital, I still had to undergo another one when I got to the UK. It is just so shameful.
“This statement is not said enough: if you have health issues in Nigeria and you have the money, run.”
In another post, she said: “Part 2 of what my eyes saw at Euracare. I spent two months there in total and another month in a rehabilitation centre because I lost the use of my hands and legs.
“I also developed bedsores. I had to relearn how to walk, speak, and bathe myself. I am still undergoing speech therapy till today.”
She added: “When I tell people I am dealing with trauma, they do not understand me at all.
“This traumatic experience completely changed my entire life—how I see things and even people.
“I appreciate life more now and tend to let go of so many things, because your life can change in a second.
“Nigeria’s healthcare system needs regulation. Anybody from abroad can come with money, open a hospital in Nigeria as a business, and do as they wish.
“They use international standards to lure clients.
“I have proof that I came out of surgery without a hole in my lungs, and if Segun_Wealth had not raised the alarm about my swollen neck, they still would not have noticed.
“It was after that I realised I was having difficulty breathing. Till today, I still need a walking stick to support myself.
“The story of that hospital is long. I first had to save my life.
“I promised them that when I am well and sound, they will hear from me.
“Seeing @chimamanda_adichie’s story today triggered me to speak up so that many people can be saved.
“When I said almost ₦100 million, I was not joking. I still have my receipts from Euracare.
“Euracare is like a business center. Most of the doctors there are not even permanent staff; they come to perform surgeries and then leave.”
Meanwhile, Euracare has not been pronounced guilty by any court or committee since the allegations were made. The hospital has commiserated with the bereaved family and also absolved its officials of negligence in carrying out their duties.
The hospital had also yet to react to allegations made by Toyin Lawani.
Chimamanda Adichie serves hospital legal notice over son’s death
Smarting from the pain caused by the irreparable loss, Chimamanda served a formal legal notice on Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, alleging medical negligence and professional impropriety in connection with the death of her son.
The development came asovernor State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ordered an official probe into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, following widespread public concern over the incident.
While the management of the hospital made frantic efforts to deny any complicity in the death of the boy, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Head of Medical Malpractice, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said the ordeal faced by Chimamanda and her family represents only a tip of a much larger crisis of medical negligence affecting countless Nigerian families.
The brickbats had yet to settle when the news broke of a mother of five who died from complications arising from a doctor leaving a pair of scissors in her body after surgery.
The fresh incident rubbished whatever defence people were trying to make for medical practice in the country and raised questions about the training of doctors, expertise of the practitioners and quality of equipment used.
The incidents evoked sad memories, forcing people both online and offline to recount death and near-death experiences at the hands of medical practitioners in the country, especially the private hospitals which they accused of putting money above the lives of patients.
Woman dies after surgery
Less than one week after the demise of Chimamanda’s son, came the news of one Aishatu Umar, who died four months after surgeons left a pair of scissors inside her stomach during a surgical procedure at the Abubakar Imam Urology Center, a government-owned health facility in Kano State.
The mother of five passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 during a corrective surgery to remove the scissors.
A relative of the deceased, Abubakar Mohammed, said Aishatu died after enduring months of severe abdominal pain following a surgical procedure carried out at the hospital about four months ago.
According to Mohammed, the surgery was performed in September, after which Aishatu reportedly began experiencing persistent and worsening abdominal pain.
He alleged that despite repeated visits to the hospital, she was only given pain-relief medication without further investigations.
He explained that medical tests and scans were eventually conducted just days ago, revealing that a pair of scissors had allegedly been left inside her body during the initial surgery.
“She underwent surgery at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in September. After that, she complained of severe abdominal pain for months.
“Each time she returned to the hospital, she was given painkillers,” Mohammed said.
“It was only two days ago that scans were carried out, and that was when doctors discovered that scissors had been forgotten inside her body.
“Plans were made for another surgery, but she passed away before it could be done,” he added.
Mohammed described the incident as a clear case of negligence and called on the Kano State Government and relevant health regulatory authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure justice for the deceased.
“How can medical professionals forget a pair of scissors inside a patient’s body?
“This is unacceptable and damages the integrity of the health sector,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, the Kano State Hospitals Management Board said it had ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the allegation to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding Aishatu’s death.
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has, however, confirmed that the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, was linked to medical negligence at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government-owned health facility in Kano.
In a statement, the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, said a preliminary investigation ordered by the Executive Secretary, Dr Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that surgical scissors were inadvertently left inside the patient’s body following a surgical procedure.
Following the findings, the Board announced the immediate suspension of three medical personnel directly involved in the case from clinical duties.
Prior to the above incidents, we had reported about how a young pregnant mother died in a controversial situation undergoing surgical operations to give birth to her first child.
The report revealed how the hospital where the deceased, Anita Nathaniel was admitted insisted she must give birth through CS in spite of a scan showing all was well with her showing the ability to deliver naturally. Nathaniel, Anita’s husband also refused, stressing that he and his wife wanted her to have a normal vaginal delivery.
After much pressure, the husband caved in, and paid N150,000 of a N300,000 surgical bill.
“After making the payment, I was assured that the surgeon would join them shortly. But my wife had to wait for well over eight hours before the surgeon arrived,” said Nathaniel.
The caesarean section (CS) was eventually done and Anita was gone afterwards.
Medical experts argued that the anaesthesia failed to maintain the necessary depth of unconsciousness, thus causing Anita to wake and feel intense pain as the surgeon cut into her abdomen and manipulated her internal organs.
Her body’s natural response to such extreme pain, argued a consultant clinical anesthesiologist, Olumide Francis, was to “activate the fight or flight mechanism, increasing her heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels.
“However, in a patient weakened by childbirth, this physiological response can be dangerous.”
Netizens relive ordeal with doctors
The death of Chimamanda’s son triggered chains of reactions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter) as netizens took turns to relive their ordeal at the hands of hospitals and doctors who made wrong prescriptions and insisted on surgeries that were at the end of the day found to be needless.
Narrating his experience, Dr Joe Abbah said: “A private hospital in Abuja said I needed surgery and was trying to pressure me to do it with them immediately.
“I wasn’t sure and my family wasn’t comfortable. My Madam reminded me that in the UK, there is a mandatory cooling off period of 14 days between when you are told that you need surgery and when you actually have it, unless it’s a life-threatening emergency.
“The cooling off period enables you to decide whether you want to go ahead with it or not.
“The surgeon asked me whether I was afraid of him and I said no, it’s the anaesthetist I am afraid of. He asked why and I said that I had heard too many stories.
“To the obvious disappointment of his clinic manager who had already started to process HMO approvals, I decided to get other opinions.
“Getting a second opinion elsewhere and a third opinion abroad, it turned out that I didn’t need any surgery at all.”
Reacting to Abbah’s post, Ijeoma Ekenechukwu @MappingReveals, said: “Hmm! I hope it is not the same doctor we have used. Had similar experience in Abuja, got a second opinion in Lagos and they say nothing.
“The Abuja kept pressuring me with text and emails to operate, and this was linked to a job role. I kept giving excuses to delay him, travelled to UK, had another opinion and nothing again for surgery.
“Thinking back, this is how they would have operated for nothing.”
Also recounting a friend’s experience, Stress Manager @eakpe said: “One hospital in Abuja told a friend that he needed to undergo heart surgery and was pressuring him to do it immediately or it could be too late.
“He wasn’t comfortable with the whole thing, so he decided to see his doctor in the UK, only to be told that he had an ulcer and that the chest pain he was feeling was from acid reflux.
“He returned to the hospital in anger and showed them his diagnosis from the UK, and they began to beg him.
“I have said this several times that most private hospitals are more concerned with profit than with the welfare of the patient.”
On his part, Musa Jidda said: “Sometime in 2011, one woman battled a mysterious illness for months. Local hospital here in Nigeria prescribed meds that only made it worse.
She flew to Egypt for a second opinion. The doctor shocked her: “it’s just a reaction to the drugs you’ve been taking.” He simply told her to STOP everything.
In just one week, she began recovering. Today? She’s completely healed!
The crue1est sc@m in Nigerian healthcare: Some private hospitals know a patient is dying… yet they invent rare diseases you’ve never heard of, push expensive, useless drugs, and even force needless surgeries, all to milk every last kobo from grieving families.”
Also sharing a friend’s experience, Jerry P @Markusjerryp, said: “This happened to a friend of mine. He was diagnosed with a kidney-related issue and he called me for help. I went to the hospital that night.
“The doctor insisted on an MRI scan, which I paid for at about ₦155,000, and prescribed antibiotics costing ₦93,000, which I also paid for.
“After reviewing the MRI results, the doctor insisted that my friend needed surgery within 24 hours, at a cost of ₦3.5 million.
“At that point, common sense kicked in. I forwarded the MRI results to three doctors, two consultants in Nigeria and one in the United States. All of them reviewed the report and said it showed only minor kidney stones.
“They advised that he should drink plenty of water. They also said the antibiotics prescribed were unnecessarily strong and recommended stopping them and using a much cheaper alternative.
“I advised my friend to leave the hospital and focus on drinking plenty of water as advised. Two years later, he is perfectly fine.”
A netizen who goes by the name The Adeyemi @DrYemiOvGynea said: “Truth is a lot of unnecessary surgeries happen in private hospitals in Nigeria. Doing surgeries pay more and that’s how they get money to stay afloat.
“These even happen in the posh ones. There have been reports of people still having their appendices intact then they have in fact had appendicectomies done in private hospitals. These things go unchecked.
“Regarding the UK you mentioned, you wouldn’t even have the surgery done in weeks or months so far it is elective, giving you opportunity to re-consider your options.
“Most cases in medicine have got more than one options if not emergencies.”
Nigerians, according to a report by Nairametrics, spend between $1.6 billion and $2 billion each year on medical treatment abroad, putting pressure on the economy and exposing gaps in the local health system, according to data from healthcare investment agencies.
For decades, the report said, the search for medical treatment abroad placed a heavy burden on Nigeria’s economy and exposed long-standing weaknesses in its local healthcare infrastructure.
The disturbing ordeal of the citizens, which are clear loss of trust in the country’s healthcare, could worsen the quest for medical treatment abroad and consequently pile more pressure on the economy.
Chimamanda’s lawyers file suit against hospital
In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, and issued by a law firm led by Professor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Adichie and her partner, Dr. Ivara Esege, accused the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of January 7, 2026.
According to the notice, the child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist medical team was reportedly on standby.
The procedures carried out at Euracare reportedly included an echocardiogram, brain MRI, insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) and a lumbar puncture, during which intravenous sedation using propofol was administered.
The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI.
The notice claimed that despite being under sedation, the child was moved between clinical areas under conditions that raised serious concerns about compliance with patient safety and paediatric anaesthesia protocols.
The legal notice outlined several alleged lapses, including concerns about the cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring, and transfer without supplemental oxygen, adequate monitoring, or sufficient accompanying medical personnel.
Further allegations included the unavailability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular distress, and failure to comply with established paediatric anaesthesia, patient-transfer, and safety standards.
The parents also accused the hospital of failing to adequately disclose the risks and potential side effects of propofol and other anaesthetic agents, thereby undermining the requirement for informed consent.
The solicitors stated that these alleged lapses constitute prima facie breaches of duty of care, rendering the hospital and involved medical personnel liable for medical negligence resulting in the child’s death.
As part of their demands, the parents requested certified copies of all medical records relating to their son’s treatment within seven days. These include admission notes, consent forms, pre-anaesthetic assessments, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, nursing observations, ICU records, incident reports, and the identities of all medical staff involved.
They also demanded internal reviews, safety logs from the MRI suite, and all documentation related to the child’s care. Euracare was formally instructed to preserve all physical and electronic evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, emergency equipment logs, internal communications, and morbidity and mortality reviews.
The solicitors warned that any destruction or alteration of evidence after receipt of the notice would be treated as obstruction of justice and could attract legal consequences.
They further stated that failure to comply with the demands would leave the parents with no option but to pursue all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies.
The child’s aunt, Dr. Anthea Esege Nwandu, a dual board-certified internal medicine physician with over 30 years of clinical experience in Nigeria and the United States, has challenged Euracare’s public statement on January 10, 2026.
In a rebuttal, Nwandu questioned the hospital’s claim that there were inaccuracies in the family’s account of events and alleged that the hospital’s statement contained significant falsehoods.
She disputed Euracare’s assertion that the child had received care at two paediatric centres prior to admission, stating that he was treated at only one hospital before being referred to Euracare for the procedures.
Nwandu further alleged that internationally accepted medical standards were not followed, insisting that a sedated child on oxygen requires continuous oxygen therapy and monitoring of oxygen saturation, pulse, and respiration.
She also claimed that proper resuscitation equipment, such as an ambu bag, was not provided during the child’s transfer within the hospital.
Hospital condoles with family, denies negligence allegations
Euracare Multispecialist Hospital has commiserated with Chimamanda and her family describing the loss as profound and heartbreaking.
In a statement issued by its management, the hospital conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the parents and extended family, noting that the death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy that goes beyond words.
While empathising with the family’s grief, the hospital also addressed what it described as inaccuracies in some reports circulating about the circumstances surrounding the child’s care. Euracare emphasised that it is a reputable medical facility specialising in complex care and staffed by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team.
The statement reads: “We extend our deepest sympathies to Chimamanda Adichie and family on the demise of their son and acknowledge the profound and unimaginable loss they are experiencing during this deeply distressing time. The loss of a child is beyond words, and we offer our most heartfelt condolences to his parents and the entire family.
“We find it necessary, for the record, to clarify that some of the reports currently being circulated contain inaccuracies.
“Our facility is a reputable centre for complex medical care, led by an internationally trained and experienced clinical team.
“The patient, who was critically ill, was referred to our facility for specific diagnostic procedures after receiving treatment for a period of time at two paediatric centres.
“Upon arrival, our medical team immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation where clinically indicated.
“In the course of his care, we worked collaboratively with external medical teams as recommended by his family and ensured that all necessary clinical support was provided.
“Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility.
“We have commenced a detailed investigation consistent with our clinical governance standards and best practices.
“We remain committed to engaging transparently and responsibly with all clinical and regulatory processes.
“We recognise that the family is grieving an irreplaceable loss and we shall continue to support them in any way that may bring comfort during this devastating period.
“As medical professionals, we carry the weight of this loss deeply. Our priority remains compassion, patient safety, and the responsible handling of this matter, while respecting the family’s privacy and allowing due process to take its course.
“We continue to hold the family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Agbakoba calls for comprehensive overhaul of health sector
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Head of Medical Malpractice, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has said the ordeal faced by the family of renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie represents only the tip of a much larger crisis of medical negligence affecting countless Nigerian families.
In a statement calling for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare system, Agbakoba said the sector has become dangerously overcentralised under the Federal Ministry of Health, leaving states lax in oversight and regulation.
According to him, the recent tragic loss of Nkanu Nnamdi, one of the twin sons of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, has once again drawn national attention to the deep-rooted problems in the country’s health system.
“As my professional focus over the past 20 years has been medical malpractice, during which I have handled over 50 cases, this unfortunate incident is yet another example of the unacceptable level of incompetence in some Nigerian hospitals,” he said.
Agbakoba noted that he was not surprised that a routine procedure at a well-regarded hospital reportedly ended in tragedy.
“Propofol, which was reportedly administered to Nkanu, requires exceptional care because of its potential to cause cardio-respiratory failure.
“An overdose can be fatal, and there appears to be a strong possibility of overdose in this case,” he stated.
He commended the Lagos State Government for its swift move to investigate the incident and Euracare for agreeing to cooperate with investigators, but stressed that the probe must be genuinely independent and transparent.
Sharing personal experiences, Agbakoba disclosed that he was once misdiagnosed with a condition that could have had serious consequences, while his brother nearly lost his life following an operation performed by a doctor who falsely presented himself as a surgeon.
According to him, the root cause of these recurring tragedies lies in the collapse of Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework for healthcare delivery.
“In the past, the health system operated under a strong supervisory structure. Chief Medical Officers and Health Inspectors oversaw critical care, ensured compliance with standards and held practitioners accountable.
“The last Chief Medical Officer of Nigeria was Dr. Samuel Layinka Manuwa,” he said.
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Oyigbo Local Government Area on Friday issued an interim injunction halting steps connected to the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
In the ruling, the court restrained the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, the Clerk of the House, and other parties from sending any correspondence or documents to the Chief Judge of Rivers State relating to the impeachment process.
The court also barred the Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, from receiving, considering, or acting on any request, resolution, or articles of impeachment from the defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct of the governor and his deputy, pending further proceedings.
The presiding judge, Justice F.A. Fiberesima, granted the order while ruling on a motion ex parte in two separate suits filed by Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Odu.
Justice Fiberesima further granted leave for the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes in Suit Nos. OYHC/7CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026, as well as subsequent court documents, on the defendants through substituted means at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.
The court also directed that the processes be served on the Chief Judge through any staff member at his chambers within the High Court premises.
The matter was adjourned to January 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive motion.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly reportedly resolved on Friday to proceed with the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy.
In a related development, four lawmakers who had earlier distanced themselves from the impeachment move were reported to have reversed their position, citing dissatisfaction with the governor’s response to calls for dialogue.
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by Aminu Sule Lamido, the 34-year-old son of former Jigawa Governor, Sule Lamido, against his conviction on the charge of failure to declare $40,000 cash at the airport and false declaration of foreign currency brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The apex court, in a unanimous judgment of a five-member panel, delivered on Friday, resolved all the three issues, identified for determination in the appeal, against the appellant.
In the lead judgment written by Justice Adamu Jauro, but read by Justice Abubakar Umar, the apex court held that the appeal lacked merit, dismissed it and affirmed the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna which upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano.
The Federal High Court, Kano had, in its judgment on July 12, 2015 convicted Aminu and ordered him to forfeit 25 per cent of the undeclared foreign currency to the Federal Government.
