Lawyer Alleges Gross Negligence as Wife Dies Hours After Childbirth in Lagos

Lawyer Alleges Gross Negligence as Wife Dies Hours After Childbirth in Lagos
The coupel payed ₦450,000 for antenatal services, excluding additional tests
Prof. Jude Okohue described the incident as unfortunate but denied negligence

A grieving lawyer, Justice John, has accused Gynescope Specialist Hospital, Ikate Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos, of medical negligence following the death of his wife, Akudo John, who died hours after giving birth, Eko Hot Blog reports .

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Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, John described his wife’s death as tragic, painful and completely avoidable, alleging poor emergency response, negligence and conflicting explanations by the hospital.

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According to him, the couple registered for antenatal care at the hospital in the 13th week of pregnancy and attended consistently until delivery, paying ₦450,000 for antenatal services, excluding additional tests conducted at other facilities on the hospital’s advice.

John said all medical tests showed his wife was healthy, with no underlying medical conditions before or during pregnancy.

He explained that concerns were raised during the third trimester about the baby’s size, prompting him to inquire about safer delivery options, including an elective Caesarean section, but the consultant gynaecologist dismissed the concerns and assured them of a normal delivery.

Recounting the events, John said his wife began experiencing mild contractions on Monday, December 1, 2025, and was admitted the following day after she was confirmed to be 2cm dilated.

By the morning of Wednesday, December 3, she had dilated to 5cm and was moved to the labour ward, where labour was induced through artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes.

He said his wife delivered through spontaneous vaginal delivery around noon, after which they paid ₦1.1 million in hospital charges and an additional ₦98,500 for pre-delivery tests.

Lawyer Alleges Gross Negligence as Wife Dies Hours After Childbirth in Lagos

The baby reportedly weighed 4.2 kilograms, a size classified medically as foetal macrosomia.

John alleged that shortly after delivery, his wife complained of heavy internal fluid flow, which was initially dismissed. When he escalated the concern, the consultant later observed unusual swelling and overly tight sutures, leading to a second surgical procedure.

According to him, his wife became pale and unconscious for hours after the second procedure, while bleeding continued internally.

He alleged that despite a 15-hour window between delivery and her death, the hospital failed to identify the source of bleeding or refer her to a more advanced facility, even as five pints of blood were transfused.

John further claimed that his wife began convulsing around 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, at a time when no medical personnel were present in the ward, and that the emergency response was chaotic.

He alleged serious lapses during evacuation, including delays, lack of oxygen, and inadequate ambulance preparedness, before she was eventually taken to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

John said Gynescope Hospital issued a death certificate citing cardiac arrest, but an autopsy conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital later listed the cause of death as haemorrhagic shock.

Responding, the proprietor of Gynescope Specialist Hospital, Prof. Jude Okohue, described the incident as unfortunate but denied negligence, insisting the patient did not die from vaginal bleeding and that the blood loss was within normal limits.

He said the hospital supported the autopsy process and rejected claims of a cover-up, maintaining that tragic medical outcomes can occur despite professional efforts.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, Uchenna Akingbade, called for a thorough investigation, stressing the need for accountability and patient safety.