Groups accuse Ehanire of insensitivity over psychiatric hospital crisis

• Give Medical Director 48-hours to vacate office

Some civil society groups in Edo State under the aegis of Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (NOCSON), yesterday accused the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Enahire, of insensitivity in the face of the raging leadership crisis at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Edo State.

The groups are alleging that the medical director of the hospital, Dr. Sunny Olotu has refused to leave office after the expiration of his first term, which they said ended on March 19th, 2016.

President of NOCSON, Abraham Oviawe, while addressing a press conference in Benin City, said Olotu has been issued a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate office otherwise they would occupy the premises. They further alleged that he was not friendly in his response to their enquiries about the state of the hospital.

He also called on anti-corruption agencies to beam their searchlights on the hospital, alleging that there was high-level of corruption and fraud going on there.

In the address Oviawe presented, the groups accused Olotu of “handedness, oppressive tendencies, fraudulent activities and acts of impunity saying, “The hospital is a public institution established with tax payers’ money. The leadership is determined at the pleasure of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whose power and legitimacy is the product of the masses who we, the civil society represent.

He added, “We urge Dr. Olotu to vacate office within the next 48 hours or we shall occupy Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Benin… We hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct his anti-corruption barrel toward the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu Benin City with a view to harvesting corrupt officers.”

Ehanire did not pick repeated calls to his mobile phone, neither did he reply to a text message. On his part, Olotu told journalists yesterday that the allegations against him were false, adding that enquiries made by NOCSON were adequately replied to.

He urged the groups to painstakingly investigate issues before making public statements just as he said he was answerable to the Health Minister and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Olotu said he was in possession of a letter from the Federal Government mandating him to continue in acting capacity until a letter of confirmation is issued.