Two Rivers doctors face manslaughter charges

Two medical doctors, Jude Okpani and Akinlade Isaiah-Tunde, have been arraigned by the Rivers State government on a two-count of manslaughter and negligence.

The charges, read in court, alleged that the doctors caused the death of a patient, Rebekah Tamunotirukuba-Sekidika, on February 2, 2024, at a clinic in Port Harcourt.

According to the prosecution, the doctors failed to administer the required dose of local spinal anaesthesia to the patient and recklessly ruptured her uterus during a medical procedure, leading to her death.

The offense is contrary to Section 325 of the Criminal Code of Rivers State 1999.

The accused doctors pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsel applied for bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution.

The trial judge, Justice Jumbo Stephen, granted bail to the two accused doctors in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties, who must be the chairman and secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Chapter.

The sureties are required to provide two passport photographs, and their residence and address must be verified by court officials.

Additionally, they must deposit their international passports in court. The matter has been adjourned to January 20 and 27, 2025, for trial.