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By 247ureports.com
Aloy Ejimakor, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and political commentator, has criticized what he describes as an Indian hospital’s use of former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar’s image in an advertisement for knee replacement surgery, calling it a diplomatic insult to Nigeria.
The Allegation
In a post on X, Ejimakor said it was a national embarrassment for an Indian hospital to use Abubakar’s image in this way, alleging that Vice President Kashim Shettima also appeared in the same material. He argued the episode portrays Nigeria as, in his words, a “banana republic.”
As of this report, 247ureports.com could not independently locate the advertisement in question, and neither the hospital, the Presidency, nor representatives for General Abubakar had issued a public response to Ejimakor’s claim.
Background: A Real Medical History
The claim touches on a documented chapter in Abubakar’s recent history. The former military head of state, who led Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule from 1998 to 1999, was treated for a knee problem in 2022 around the time of his 80th birthday, when he confirmed to journalists that he had been briefly hospitalized abroad after developing a swollen knee that affected his mobility, before being discharged to continue follow-up care. That episode was widely reported at the time and quashed separate rumors that he had suffered a stroke. Whether that history has any connection to the advert Ejimakor describes is not established.
What’s Unverified
The existence of the specific advertisement, its use of Abubakar’s likeness without consent, and Vice President Shettima’s alleged appearance in it are, at this stage, solely Ejimakor’s claims. 247ureports.com has not confirmed the material exists in the form described.
247ureports.com will update this story if the advertisement surfaces or officials respond.
