Esther Salifu
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has granted bail to two doctors, Dr. Jude Okpani and Dr. Isaiah-Tunde Akinlade, who are standing trial for alleged manslaughter. The doctors were accused of causing the death of 24-year-old Rebekah Tamunotorukubu-Sekidika due to negligence and failure to administer the required dose of local spinal anesthesia during a medical procedure.
According to the charge, the doctors’ actions led to the rupture of Rebekah’s uterus, resulting in her death. The court granted bail to the doctors in the sum of N1 million each, with two sureties who must be the Chairman and Secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter.
Justice Jumbo Stephens stated, “The 1st and 2nd defendants who have just been admitted to bail are also to deposit to the registrar of this court two copies of their passport photographs. These are the bail conditions.” The matter has been adjourned to January 20 and 27, 2025, for a ‘definite’ hearing.
