Four workers of the Cottage Hospital, Iloffa in Oke-Ero local government area of Kwara state have been arraigned in court by the police over alleged missing of baby placenta and umbilical cord in the hospital.
The four suspects brought before two separate Kwara Magistrates Court sitting in Ilorin included Dr. Ajibola Joseph, the resident doctor in the hospital and the Matron of the hospital, Mrs. Olanrewaju Joseph .
Others are Mrs. Peace Alabi, a nurse that took delivery of the baby and Mrs. Toyin Adewumi, a ward attendant at the hospital.
A teacher at Orota community Secondary School, Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero Council area, Mrs Bukola Williams had reported to the Police on the alleged missing of the placenta and the umbilical cord of her daughter which she reportedly delivered at the hospital.
She 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 and the umbilical cord of her baby.
Police First Information Report (FIR ) 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 for committing an offence titled, “Negligent conduct causing danger to person or property contrary to section 196 of Penal code law of Nigeria.”
The duo were however granted bail by Magistrate A Issa while the case was adjourned till June 26,2024 for further hearing.
Meanwhile 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 the missing Placenta were denied.
Chief Magistrate Adebayo said his Court lacks jurisdiction in the case, adding that the two suspects were denied bail due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The case was adjourned till June 13, 2024 for hearing.
COV/ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
