The Chief Medical Director of the Taraba State Specialist Hospital,
Dr. Zakari Aliyu, is to appear before the Medical and Dental tribunal.
He is accused of divulging information on the health of Governor
Danbaba Suntai, contrary to the ethics of the profession.
Nine other doctors are expected to appear before the Dr. Jonathan
Azubuike-led Tribunal.
The tribunal, which began sittings yesterday on Aliyu, will sit for
the next two days. It is expected to hear 10 cases.
Speaking before the trial, Dr. Azubuike restated the power of the
tribunal, which he said has the status of the High Court. He said “the
judgment of this Tribunal can be appealed only before the Court of
Appeal.”
Other doctors expected to appear before the tribunal are: David
Emmanuel Udo, Godwin Ugbam, Friday Samuel Wokoma, Temitope Gabriel
Onile, Nzurumike Charles Nnanna, Danmusa Ademu Ochala, Omotayo
Oluwadamilola Akinro, Theophilus Maksha Dabkana, Dafe T. Adiki and
Udezue Nnameka Obumneme.
The case involving Dr. Mijinyawa Dujuri Ibrahim was dropped at the
request of the plaintiff.
Aliyu is facing a one count charge of divulging information regarding
the health record of Suntai, which was published by media houses.
According to the charge sheet, Aliyu conducted himself “infamously in
a respect contrary to rule 44 of the code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria
2008 edition and punishable under Section 16(1)(a) and (2) of the
Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap. M8 laws of the Federation
of Nigeria 2004.”
Udo is facing four-count charge bothering on malpractice, divulging of
medical records of a patient and unethical practice.
Ugbam is facing a three-count charge bothering on negligence and
failure to keep record of patient operated on.
The charge sheet reads in part: “You have conducted yourself
infamously in a professional respect contrary to the provision of rule
14.2 of the code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria and punishable under
section 16(1)(a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act,
Cap. M8 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Dr. Wokoma, a consultant with University of Port Harcourt Teaching
Hospital is facing one count charge of negligence of duty in the case
of a patient, Mr. Victor Afego who was admitted into the unit under
his (Wokoma) care.
Onile, Nnanna and Ochala are facing one count charge of negligence of
duty. Onile and Nnanna are consultants obsterician and gynaecologists
at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja. Ochala is the Head of
Department, consultant and senior medical Officer in the Centre.
They were alleged to have failed to pick their calls to attend to a
patient, Mrs. Eleojo Justina Colins (deceased) who was admitted under
their care and required urgent surgical intervention until the patient
died on January 28, 2012.
They are charged under Rule 29 and 43 of the Code of Medical Ethics in
Nigeria 2008 edition and punishable under Section 16(1)a and (2) of
the Medical and Dental Practioners Act, Cap.M8 Laws of the Federation
of Nigeria, 2004.
Dr Akinro was also charged for negligence of duty in the same case. He
was alleged to have suspended the passage of a foley’s Catheter and
proceeded to administer Misoprostol without prior consultation with
the consultant and the senior medical officer on duty.
According to the charge sheet, Akinjo is accused to have conducted
himself “infamously in a professional respect contrary to rule 29,
29.4(c) and 29.4(f) of the code of medical ethics in Nigeria 2008
edition and punishable under section 16(1) (a) and (2) of the Medical
and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap.M8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria
2004.
Dr. Dabkana is accused of ignoring requests made by Medical and Dental
Practitioners Investigation Panel in the course of it’s investigation
of the allegation of professional misconduct made against him by one
Ayuba Kwagui Alamson.
Dr. Adiki, an employee of Delta State government, a Consultant
Orthopedic Surgeon at the Central Hospital, Warri is accused of
abandoning his duty post for his privately-owned medical facility
known as Bendel Clinic.
He is standing trial under rule 49.1(a) of the code of Medical ethics
in Nigeria 2008 Edition and punishable under section 16(1)(a) and (2)
of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap.M8 Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Ibrahim is accused of negligence over the death of a patient, Mrs.
Hadiza Abdulkarim. He was, however, discharged as the complainant
showed no interest to continue with the case.
