By Tina Amanda
The Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Justice, has arraigned Dr. Jude Okpani and Dr. Akinlade Isaiah-Tunde on a two-count charge of manslaughter and reckless negligence.
According to the charges read in court, the doctors were alleged to have, on February 2, 2024, at a clinic in Port Harcourt, caused the death of Rebekah Tamunotirukuba-Sekidika. The offense is contrary to Section 325 of the Criminal Code Law of Rivers State 1999.
The prosecution further alleged that the accused failed to administer the required dose of local spinal anesthesia to the deceased and recklessly ruptured her uterus during a medical procedure, leading to her death.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their counsel made an oral application for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution.
The trial judge, Justice Jumbo Stephen, granted bail to the accused persons on the sum of one million naira each, with two sureties. The sureties must be the Chairman and Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter.
Justice Stephen also ordered that the sureties must provide two passport photographs, their residential addresses must be verified by court officials, and the accused must deposit their international passports with the court.
The case was adjourned to January 20 and 27, 2025, for trial.
