Published 14th Jul, 2021

By FIJ

Dr. Renner Kingsley Kelechi, one of the doctors who performed surgery on the late Peju Ugboma and treated her post-surgery, has relocated to Saudi Arabia.

The revelation was made on Monday when the Coroner’s Court of Lagos State commenced hearing in the inquest into the tragic death of Peju at Premier Specialist Medical Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the hearing, the testimony of deceased husband, Ijoma Ugboma and Bernard Taiwo were heard. Ijoma testified that his wife’s vitals were good and she had no preexisting conditions prior to the surgery conducted by Doctors Akinsiku, Asemota, Renner and other medical personnel of Premier Special Medical Centre.

At the opening of the hearing, Babatunde Ogunbamila, Esq., counsel to the deceased family, expressed concerns that Premier Specialist Medical Centre had not filed the Written Deposition of Dr. Renner Kingsley Kelechi, who is one of the doctors who performed surgery on the deceased and treated her post-surgery.

Responding, Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), counsel to Premier Specialist Medical Centre, announced to the court that Dr. Renner has relocated from Nigeria and is now in Saudi Arabia. She suggested that his evidence should be taken in a virtual hearing without the necessity of attending the inquest physically.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), represented by counsel, Abimbola Ojenike, Esq., appeared at the proceedings as Party Interested. FCCPC claimed the right to cross-examine witnesses.

But Akeredolu objected to FCCPC’s cross-examination, arguing that FCCPC has a parallel proceedings where the same witnesses are being interrogated.

The court overruled the objection and permitted cross-examination by the Commission. Responding to FCCPC’s question, Ugboma said his wife did not have kidney, liver, heart diseases and only went for fibroid surgery. He stated that Premier’s medical personnel did not inform him that his wife’s health condition deteriorated through the night of Sunday, April 25, 2021 and he was surprised to find that she had been placed on the respirator.

He further testified that Premier Specialist Medical Centre decided to move Peju Ugboma to the hospital at Evercare Hospital around mid-morning on Sunday but she was not moved until 1.43p.m in the afternoon and she died shortly after arrival at Evercare before she was even moved from the bed with which Premier Specialist Medical Centre conveyed her there.

The matter was adjourned to Monday July 19 for hearing of Premier’s application challenging the autopsy report and continuation of hearing.

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