Health

Boy With Missing Intestine: New twist as private Medical Doctors accuse Lagos Assembly of bias

Published

2 years ago

September 24, 2023

Adebola Akin-Bright

Boy With Missing Intestine: New twist as private Medical Doctors accuse Lagos Assembly of bias

The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Lagos State Chapter, has accused the ad-hoc committee constituted by the Lagos House of Assembly to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged disappearance of the small intestines of late Adebola Akin-Bright of bias.

The chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Noheem Adams, had revealed that Doctor Abayomi Baiyewu of Obitoks Hospital who performed surgeries twice on Adebola is not a qualified surgeon.

Adams said during investigation, the committee learnt from Baiyewu that he is not a surgeon but only relied on his experience as a medical doctor to perform the surgeries.

Consequently, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to write to the state police command for the arrest of Baiyewu.

Obasa further asked the committee to look into other grey areas including inviting officials of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) which has the law-backed responsibility to monitor private hospitals operating in the state.

But reacting in a statement jointly signed by its Lagos Branch Chairman, Dr Makinde Akinlemibola and General Secretary, Dr Debo Adebiyi, ANPMP said that the panel demonstrated witch-hunt.

According to the association, while the panel attempted to reduce the session of its member to a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, that of the doctor from the government hospital involved in the management of the boy was allowed to give a detailed report.

It pointed out that the panel not including a doctor, made it difficult for the panel to properly investigate the matter.

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ANPMP noted that there was clear evidence that members of the panel were ‘genuinely ignorant’ of some of the workings of the medical profession which became obvious from some of the questions posed during their sitting.

The association called for a thorough investigation by a well-constituted professional team, adding that the only body empowered by law to investigate this kind of case is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

“It is important to note that the honourable members of the panel also demonstrated a clear case of witch-hunt and working to a predetermined answer by attempting to reduce the session to a “Yes” and “No” session for our member from the private hospital while the doctor from the government hospital involved in the management of the deceased was given the latitude to give a detailed report.

“The bias was taken to a ridiculous level when the same doctor who operated on the patient at the government hospital was asked to assess and determine the response of the doctor who operated on the patient in the private hospital. A case of being a judge in your case you would say!

“Of course, the doctor seeing the absurdity of the request cleverly declined.

“A similar panel set up earlier by the Ministry of Health (HEFAMAA) that had a surgeon on the seat had confirmed that the X-ray films taken while the patient was on admission at LASUTH also showed the presence of the intestines.

“Information available to us also confirms that a large mass of black tissue was removed at LASUTH and handed to the patient’s mother to take to the histopathology laboratory by the team that operated on the patient at LASUTH after they came out of the theatre.

“Strangely, the government through their agency, HEFAMAA rushed to seal up the theatre of the private hospital, while the government hospital where the patient was operated on and eventually died was left to continue to operate as if nothing happened.

“We have to emphasise here that matters of this nature deserve thorough investigation by a well-constituted professional team and the only body empowered by law to investigate such cases is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN,” the statement read partly.

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ANPMP stated that based on available scientific evidence at its disposal, it has been able to establish some privileged and incontrovertible facts.

The association explained that an ultrasound scan and X-ray done at LASUTH on June 19 confirmed that there was the presence of normal intestinal movement.

“The patient was first operated on at Obitoks Hospital 6th of March 2023 on account of a ruptured appendix after he was referred from a medical centre where he was managed for typhoid enteritis.

“It was discovered on the operation table that there was an abscess which will require a different management approach to drain. (The appendix at that time must not be removed because of the abscess). The patient however got better afterwards.

“The patient presented again about 3 months later and a diagnosis of obstructed intestine was made which necessitated operating on the abdomen again to relieve the obstruction.

“It is a fact that the parents were invited into the operating room to see and confirm the point of obstruction and the 4 inches of the small intestine to be removed, out of the about 24 feet of the normal small intestine.

“It was also established that the patient was referred to the tertiary centre 8 days post-operation at the request of the parents. It is a fact that the patient was admitted to LASUTH on the 17th of June.

“The patient was however eventually operated upon on the 14th of July 2023 (i.e. 28 days after admission in LASUTH). It is therefore strange how the story of the missing/disappearing intestine gained prominence in the media in a patient who was on admission to a public facility (LASUTH) for almost 28 days.

“The question to then ask is, how did the patient survive for 28 days without intestine? In addition to this, it was also established as confirmed by ultrasound scan and X-ray done at LASUTH on the 19th of June (I.e. 3rd day on admission) that there was the presence of normal intestinal movement,” the statement added.

Adebola died on Tuesday, after two surgeries performed at a private hospital and a corrective surgery at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Boy With Missing Intestine: New twist as private Medical Doctors accuse Lagos Assembly of bias

Related Topics:Lagos Assembly missing intestine

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Health

NUFBTE Workers Occupy NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Published

7 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

NUFBTE Workers Occupy NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Members of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) on Thursday staged a protest at the NAFDAC office in Isolo, Lagos, demanding the reversal of the agency’s ban on sachet and PET-bottled alcoholic beverages. The union claims the ban contradicts a directive reportedly issued by the Federal Government, and they want production lines that were sealed to be immediately reopened.

The protesters, including manufacturers, distributors, and industry workers, argued that the enforcement of the ban threatens jobs, livelihoods, and the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on sachet alcohol sales. During the demonstration, union members handed a petition to NAFDAC officials, urging dialogue and a more balanced approach that safeguards both public health and the food and beverage sector.

NUFBTE cited alleged instructions from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, claiming that NAFDAC should suspend enforcement. The union said continued closure of production lines and restriction of alcohol sales would lead to economic hardship and widespread job losses.

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However, NAFDAC rejected the claims, with Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye stating that no federal directive has instructed the agency to halt the ban. In a statement, the regulator described circulating reports as “false” and “misleading,” emphasizing that its actions are within statutory authority and in line with official government policies.

“NAFDAC has not received any formal directive to suspend its regulatory or enforcement activities concerning sachet alcohol,” the statement read. The agency reiterated its commitment to public health protection, regulatory compliance, and consumer safety, warning the public and industry stakeholders to rely on verified information from official channels.

The ban, implemented earlier this month, targets alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and containers smaller than 200ml, a measure aimed at reducing unregulated alcohol consumption and protecting vulnerable groups. While the policy has faced backlash from workers and businesses, NAFDAC maintains that it is necessary for national health and safety.

The protest underscores the tension between regulatory enforcement and economic concerns, as workers continue to call for inclusive policymaking and engagement with industry stakeholders to mitigate the impact on jobs and local businesses.

NUFBTE Workers Occupy NAFDAC Lagos Office Over Sachet Alcohol Ban

Health

NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Trends Admin

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed reports claiming that the Federal Government ordered a suspension of its enforcement activities against sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages, describing the reports as “false and misleading.”

In a statement signed by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency clarified that it has not received any formal communication from the Federal Government instructing it to halt regulatory or enforcement operations. NAFDAC stressed that all its actions are carried out within its statutory mandate and guided by existing laws and official government directives.

“The said publication is false, misleading, and does not reflect any official communication received by the Agency from the Federal Government,” the statement read. Prof. Adeyeye reiterated that enforcement of regulations on sachet alcohol remains active and any changes to national regulatory policies would be officially communicated through authorised channels.

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NAFDAC warned that the spread of unverified information can cause public confusion, economic uncertainty, and misinterpretation of government policy. The agency urged the public, industry stakeholders, and the media to rely only on verified information released via its official platforms and government communication channels.

The clarification comes amid ongoing concerns over the public health risks of sachet alcohol, which has been associated with poisoning incidents and misuse, particularly among young people. NAFDAC reiterated its commitment to protecting public health, ensuring compliance in the food and beverage sector, and maintaining national interest while carrying out its regulatory duties.

The agency’s statement underscores that all enforcement operations targeting unsafe alcohol products will continue without interruption, aiming to safeguard consumers and uphold public safety.

NAFDAC Clarifies: No Government Directive to Halt Sachet Alcohol Enforcement

Health

FG Ends ‘No Work, No Pay’, Clears January Salaries After 84-Day JOHESU Strike

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako

FG Ends ‘No Work, No Pay’, Clears January Salaries After 84-Day JOHESU Strike

The Federal Government has officially lifted the “No Work, No Pay” directive imposed during the 84-day nationwide strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and approved the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries for all affected health workers.

The decision followed the suspension of the industrial action after a successful conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and JOHESU leadership, prompting the union to direct its members nationwide to resume work in the interest of patients, health system stability, and national public health security.

In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the resolution reflects the government’s commitment to dialogue, fairness, and the protection of Nigeria’s health workforce.

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“The Federal Government remains fully committed to the welfare, dignity, and professional advancement of all health workers across Nigeria. This resolution demonstrates that dialogue, mutual respect, and good faith remain the most effective tools for resolving industrial disputes in our health sector,” Salako said.

The minister acknowledged the sacrifices made by health workers during the prolonged strike and assured JOHESU members that no worker would be victimised, sanctioned, or intimidated for participating in the action.

“Government has therefore approved the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries and assures all JOHESU members that no reprisal will follow the industrial action,” he added.

Salako further reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustained engagement with health sector unions, noting that discussions would continue on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

He disclosed that the Federal Government has committed to making provisions for the proposed salary adjustments in the 2026 Appropriation Act, in line with the recommendations of the existing technical committee template.

“The inclusion of salary adjustment provisions in the 2026 budget framework reflects our seriousness about achieving sustainable solutions for the health workforce through concrete policy and budgetary actions,” the minister stated.

He commended the spirit of cooperation and patriotism displayed by all parties throughout the negotiation process and reassured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to uninterrupted, quality, and accessible healthcare services nationwide.