Doctors fail to testify at FCCPC’s public hearing on Peju Ugboma’s death

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has commenced a public hearing into the death of Peju Ugboma, a Lagos-based chef, to determine possible patient rights violations.

Peju’s family had earlier alleged that their daughter died due to the negligence of health officials at the Premier Specialist Medical Centre in Victoria Island. She underwent surgery for fibroid but later suffered internal bleeding.

In the heat of public outrage, FCCPC had vowed to investigate possible violations of patient and consumer rights.

According to ChannelsTV, doctors from the hospital failed to testify at FCCPC’s public hearing on Tuesday while claiming that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) had ordered them not to speak on the case.

It is understood that Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), their counsel, stated that Lolu Osinowo, the chief medical officer, was out of the country and had opted to be heard virtually while other doctors were absent.

FCCPC also fixed Wednesday to continue at which time it said it could proceed with the hearing without the doctors.

Babatunde Irukera, FCCPC’s executive vice-chairman (EVC) and CEO, was said to have kickstarted the proceeding.

Moyosore Onigbanjo, attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Lagos, also spoke at the hearing as a panel set up for it had representatives from the rule of the law office of the presidency and the federal ministry of health.

Other parties who were also represented are the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFMAA), Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The Premier Hospital had earlier declined to respond to media enquiries on the death case, citing client confidentiality.

Omolara Omoyajowo, another deceased lady, was also alleged to have died due to negligence by officials at the Beachland Specialist Hospital in Arepo, Ogun state, where she received treatment after suffering an ulcer attack.