Nurses, ward attendant remanded over missing placenta

By Biola Adebayo On May 23, 2024

Nurses, ward attendant, remand, placenta — Nurses, ward attendant remanded over missing placenta

Police in Kwara State have arraigned four workers of the Cottage Hospital, Iloffa in the Oke-Ero local government area of the state over a missing baby placenta and umbilical cord in the hospital.

The four suspects brought before two Kwara Magistrates Courts sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday and Thursday were Dr Ajibola Joseph, the resident doctor in the hospital, the Matron of the hospital, Olanrewaju Joseph; and Peace Alabi, a nurse who took delivery of the baby and Mrs Toyin Adewumi, a ward attendant at the hospital.

Recall that a teacher at Orota Community Secondary School, Odo-Owa, in the Oke-Ero Council area, Mrs Bukola Williams had reported to the police the alleged missing placenta and umbilical cord of her daughter, which she delivered at the hospital.

The teacher alleged that a black nylon bag handed over to her by the hospital staff on discharge from the hospital after the delivery of her baby did not contain the placenta or umbilical cord of her baby.

Police First Information Report said that Doctor Ajibola Joseph and the matron, Mrs Olanrewaju Joseph were charged with alleged negligence before the Court.

According to the FIR, the two medical professionals were arraigned before the Magistrate Court on Wednesday for committing an offence titled, “Negligent conduct causing danger to person or property contrary to Section 196 of the Penal Code Law of Nigeria.”

Magistrate A A Issa however granted the duo bail while the case was adjourned till June 26, 2024, for further hearing.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, in another magistrate court presided over by Chief Magistrate Qudus Adebayo, the bail for Mrs Alabi Peace, who took the delivery and the ward Attendant, Mrs Adewunmi Toyin who allegedly disposed of the missing placenta, were denied.

While Barrister Oluwaseun Ikubami and C. M Chima appeared for Mrs Adewunmi Toyin, Chief Isaac Adebayo and Barrister (Mrs) Bukola Owoniyi stood as defence counsels for Mrs Peace Alabi.

Barrister Hassan Sheu represented the complainant, Mrs Williams during the case trial at the court.

Though Chief Magistrate Adebayo said his court lacks jurisdiction in the case, he denied bail to the two suspects due to what he described as “the sensitivity of the matter.”

After the arguments of both parties, Chief Magistrate Qudus Adebayo ruled, “I have considered the application of the counsels on the bail of the two defendants and I hereby rule that the bail applications are refused. They are to be remanded at the Federal Correctional Facility in Ilorin.”

The case was adjourned till June 13, 2024, for a hearing.