Metro
2 doctors arraigned for alleged manslaughter, negligence get N2m bail
The Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, granted bail to two doctors, Dr. Jude Okpani and Dr. Isaiah-Tunde Akinlade, who are standing trial for alleged manslaughter.
The doctors were arraigned by the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Justice on two counts bordering on manslaughter and negligence.
According to the charge, the two doctors are alleged to have caused the death of 24-year-old Rebekah Tamunotorukubu-Sekidika, a first-class graduate of Microbiology from the Benson Idahosa University, on February 2, 2024, at a clinic in Port Harcourt.
The accused are also alleged to have neglected to administer the required dose of local spinal anesthesia to Rebekah, which recklessly ruptured her uterus while carrying out a medical procedure on her, leading to her death.
When the charges were read to them in court, the doctors pleaded not guilty. Their counsel, C.T. Walter, orally applied for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Christiana Tombari Bodo, a Senior State Council in the Ministry of Justice.
Read Also: Akpabio vows to replace non-performing Senate committee chairmen
However, Bodo requested stringent conditions from the court on the grounds that the matter is sensitive.
The trial judge, Justice Jumbo Stephens, after listening to the defense and prosecution counsels, granted bail to the two accused in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties who must be the Chairman and Secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter.
Justice Stephens also directed that the sureties must provide two passport photographs and their addresses must be verified by an official of the court and photocopies of either a valid driving license, passport, or voter card must be deposited in court.
Justice Stephens stated, “The 1st and 2nd defendants who have just been admitted to bail are also to deposit to the registrar of this court two copies of their passport photographs. These are the bail conditions.”
The matter has been adjourned to January 20 and 27, 2025, for a ‘definite’ hearing.
The family of the deceased, Rebekah Tamunotorukubu-Sekidika, who was preparing for a trip to the United Kingdom for a Master’s degree when the incident occurred, will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
