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•Family rejects result, threatens to sue LAUTECH CMD
From Clement Adeyi, Osogbo
A pathologist, Dr. Solaja Olufemi, who works at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, involved in determining the cause of death of Osun State-born Senator, Isiaka Adeleke, has given the cause of death to be “multiple aspiration” or choking, due to drug overdose.
He disclosed that there were no traces of poison or heavy metal in the examined body of the deceased and added that the police also carried out toxicology examination on the deceased and the result was given to him to read on May 15, 2017 during the sitting.
Olufemi, who is the Consultant, Anatomic Pathologist at LAUTECH hospital, said the result of the pathological examination revealed that the deceased, who died suddenly on April 23, 2017, was given an overdose of sedative and analgesic medicines.
The pathologist, who was led in evidence by Mrs Oyindamola Daramola, a Senior Legal Officer for LAUTECH Hospital, explained that the Histology of the tissues from the body of the deceased was normal except from the heart which showed hypertrophy.
He added that the liver showed alcoholic steato-hypatitis.
“Death in this case was due to aspiration of gastric content, although the deceased had hypertensive heart disease which could have caused sudden death, but no evidence of such, either grossly or microscopically. It is known that excessive alcoholic intake may depress the central nervous system with the blunting of the gas influx. This may also induce vomiting. The deceased was deeply sedated and was given an overdose of analgesic. These drugs are known to cause central nervous system depression. He apparently vomited and aspirated due to the deep sedation. So, the aspiration of the gastric content blocked the airways, depriving the body of oxygen. This showed up in the body as stinge of colouration. This could cause vital seizure of the system.
“The toxicology report also showed abnormally high levels of alcohol, sedative and analgesic in the blood of the deceased…”
Olufemi tendered a copy of the autopsy report and the court admitted it as exhibit EC3.
He, however, informed the Coroner that the copy of the toxicology report was not released to him after reading it.
Investigation and autopsy began after family members and supportersof the late senator alleged that Adeleke was poisoned.
Adeleke’s family has also rejected the inquest, saying its outcome has been predetermined.
LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Chief Medical Director, Professor Akeem Lasisi, who testified before the coroner on Monday, had spoken in the same vein with Olufemi, when he said that one of the drugs administered on Adeleke was Analgin, a drug banned by NAFDAC, several years ago.
Government has banned Analgin for over 10 years, according to Lasisi.
He also told the Coroner that the person who administered the drug was neither a medical doctor nor a nurse.
Adeleke’s “Health Assistant,” Alfred Aderibigbe, who allegedly administered the drugs on the deceased senator, attended the sitting, but had his testimony deferred.
According to his counsel, Lekan Alabi, he was only served the summons on Tuesday, pleading that the evidence be adjourned till Friday.
Alabi also explained that Aderibigbe had been going through a psychological trauma and was not prepared to give evidence before the coroner.
He also requested for an interpreter on the ground that Mr. Aderibigbe would give evidence in Yoruba language. However, instead of the request for the Friday date, the coroner, Olusegun Ayilara, adjourned the taking of Aderibigbe’s evidence to tomorrow.
The Divisional Police Officer, Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, Ogunkanmi Gbemileke also appeared before the coroner, and said that he was given the empty samples and vials which he later handed over to officer in charge of homicide for examination.
Meanwhile, senator Adeleke’s family has vowed to sue Lasisi, and other medical practitioners for alleged unprofessional conduct in handling the report of the autopsy ordered by the family into the death of the Senator. The family, led by Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, said this at a press conference in Ede, yesterday, in reaction to Lasisi’s testimony.
Adedeji said the family neither participated nor believed in the inquest ordered by Governor Rauf Aregbsola, and added the CMD has refused to give the family the result of the autopsy carried out on the deceased. He also disclosed that neither had the family been briefed nor the autopsy report released and wondered which report the CMD quoted before the Coroner. He said that when the family queried the development, the CMD “changed the story, saying that the autopsy was only conducted at the Nigerian Police Forensic Lab in Lagos.”
