The initial investigations into the tragic demise of 12-year-old Master Adebola Akin-Bright, the young boy with a missing intestine who met his fate at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), have commenced. This inquiry began on Friday under the jurisdiction of the coroner, Magistrate Bola Folarin-Williams, seated at Magistrate Court 4, Botanical Gardens, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
It’s a heartbreaking ordeal where a full-fledged human entered surgery with complete intestines but left with incomplete intentions. The doctor responsible for this surgery is now under scrutiny for their actions.
During the proceedings, the legal representative of the Lagos State Government, Ola Akinde, informed the court that essential tests and examinations had been carried out on the deceased’s body, and a post-mortem report was available.
Furthermore, Akinde mentioned that letters from solicitors representing the deceased’s father, who wishes to preserve the corpse, and the mother, who seeks the release of the corpse for burial, had been acknowledged by the office of the State Attorney General. The state expressed neutrality in these requests, leaving the final decision to the court’s discretion.
The Coroner, in response, disclosed that the autopsy report was soon to be presented to the court. She suggested that the deceased’s father and mother might need to submit their respective applications regarding the handling of the corpse for the court’s judgment.
Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, the complainant’s counsel, then requested that the autopsy report be shared with all involved parties. He also voiced concerns about potential bias and conflicts of interest, suggesting an independent examination of the corpse by experts, such as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Adegboruwa additionally informed the Coroner that Femi Falana (SAN) had taken the role of the lead counsel for the deceased’s mother. He intended to collaborate with Falana to align the parents’ viewpoints. In the interim, he urged the court to preserve the corpse, as the Coroner had already taken jurisdiction over the case.
Akinde reassured the Coroner that the state was prepared to cooperate, providing all necessary witnesses and documents, including doctors and medical personnel who attended to the deceased at LASUTH.
After hearing all arguments, the Coroner instructed the parties to reconcile their positions and submit a list of witnesses to be called before the next hearing. She emphasized that the autopsy report and all pertinent documents should be shared with the parties’ legal representatives.
This perplexing case has been adjourned, with the next session scheduled for November 24, where further proceedings will take place.
