[dropcap]B[/dropcap]enin City, Nigeria – Contrary to a media report that the corpse of a former Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Dr. Osaretin Osadolor deposited at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital’s morgue was missing, the hospital’s Medical Director has confirmed that it was released to the deceased’s oldest son Barr. Erhunse Osa-Osadolor.
The Medical Director, Dr. Isaac Omorogiuwa stated this on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 less than 24 hours after a Benin-based privately owned TV/Radio station reported that a group of persons, who claimed to be relatives of the deceased, stormed the hospital last Monday protesting alleged disappearance of the corpse from the state-owned hospital’s mortuary.
He said that the corpse was deposited in the morgue by the oldest son of the deceased, Barr. Erhunse Osadolor on July 2, 2018 after proper documentation.
Dr. Omorogiuwa who described the media report as embarrassing, mischievous and malicious called on the Nigeria Police to investigate the matter.
In the said media report, one of the protesters, Pastor Joseph Osadolor who identified himself as a relative of the deceased, had said, “I do not know how the body of my younger brother was stolen from the mortuary.”
Omorogiuwa stated that the body was later released to the son for the burial rites of the deceased, since he (Erhunse) had possession of a slip given to him by the hospital for proper identification and access.
He also disclosed that the late legislator was interred by his family last weekend.
“The late Dr. Osadolor is not missing. He was brought here on July 2, 2018 by his eldest son. Our business is to keep the corpse in our morgue, nothing more than that.
“That of the deceased also followed the same due process and was released to the eldest son, who brought the body to this hospital. Interestingly, the man (deceased) has been interred by the family.
“So, where did the news (of a missing corpse) come from? If the family has a problem, that should not be extended to our facility.” The MD explained.
Omoroguiwa further stated that the state government had published their condolences in the brochure used for the burial which held between September 27 and 30.
He, however, noted that the hospital would take appropriate legal actions on the case.
“So, the management of this hospital, the Edo State Management Board, Edo State Ministry of Health and, indeed, the Government of Edo State are totally embarrassed by that report. We will not let it go just like that,” he added.
The MD however availed our reporter duplicates of Warrant to bury dated September 3, 2018 obtained from the Police by the deceased’s oldest son Barr. Erhunse Osa-Osadolor.
Also made available were photocopies of application for permission for burial of late Dr. Osaretin Osadolor, dated August 24, 2018, written to Edo State Commissioner of Police by Barr. Erhunse Osa-Osadolor.
There was also a letter written with a caveat against the release of the corpse of the deceased pending completion of investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death, dated September 3rd, 2018, and addressed to the Medical Director of the said hospital by one P. A. Akhatskhe Esq. on behalf of one Madam Comfort Osagie and Mr. Michael Eghaghe who claimed to be the mother and brother of the deceased, respectively.
Contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Edo, CP Johnson Kokumo, said that the matter would be investigated if it had been brought before the command.
“If they have reported the matter to us, we will subject it to investigation. But if the matter is not reported to us, there is little we can do about it.” The police chief noted.
Attempts to obtain comments from Barr. Erhunse Osa-Osadolor failed.
