The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State has stated that its investigation into the Christmas Day death of Dr. David Akintayo Oguntuase showed that the deceased was murdered before he was set ablaze by arsonists.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ondo State has stated that its investigation into the Christmas Day death of Dr. David Akintayo Oguntuase showed that the deceased was murdered before he was set ablaze by arsonists.
Dr. Oguntuase, the head of pediatrics at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Owo, Ondo State, was found dead on Christmas day at his Universal Medical Clinic, at Oke Ibukun Street in Akure. Speaking with journalists in Akure, the NMA’s state chairman, Dr. Bamidele Betiku, said the gory scene at the burnt clinic revealed that the deceased was killed.
[story_link align="left"]36871[/story_link]Dr. Betiku gave reporters graphic details of what the Association met at the scene during their visit to the private facility. “The silhouette of the burnt body (face down) was noted to be in keeping with that identified before it was taken to the mortuary of the state specialist hospital in Akure,” he said. According to the NMA chairman, “The body was dismembered on the upper and lower limbs and the area of the silhouette was still somewhat wet and one of the small bones of the foot was found on the floor. The room where the body was had a burglary of its window destroyed (the only one noted to be so).
“There were two empty gas cylinders that were intact. We were also reliably informed that there was no power supply throughout the night of the incidence and the generator was intact.”
Dr. Betiku continued: “The scene of the incident was initially a free for all to come in and out of the premises before concerted efforts were made by the NMA on the police to cordon off the environment such that the abundance of evidence be adequately utilized.”
[story_link align="left"]36894[/story_link]He added: “The manner of evacuation of the burnt body from the scene was to say the least unscrupulous with a considerable likelihood to compromise the results of investigations.
“As if this was not vexatious enough, the scene, which apparently was cordoned off following intensive efforts by the NMA, was not the case when it was subsequently visited (even up till yesterday at 4 p.m.).
“The press release by the PPRO of Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, narrowed the incidence to electricity surge even when the neighbors confirmed that there was no electricity supply at the time of the incidence.”
Dr. Betiku also expressed dissatisfaction at the statement of the police in the state, which he claimed looked “suspicious” as the police carried out no preliminary investigation before dashing out releases to reporters.
He also wondered why the police would be waiting for the families of the deceased to furnish it with information and evidence that might led to the arrest of anyone suspected to have carried out the dastardly act, adding that it should be the duty of the security to investigate the matter and look for evidence.
“The question is, have the police done all their investigations on the scene or perhaps waiting for the family of our late colleague to produce evidence?” asked Dr. Betiku.
“While we believe that the police [are] up to the task, we also note with dismay that even the forms C and D of the coroner's inquest have not been sighted by the Ondo NMA despite the intervention of the Ondo State Government,” Dr. Betiku said.
He disclosed that the police had recently questioned the deceased following a petition by the Medical Director of Federal Medical Center(FMC), Owo, Olufemi Omotoso, alleging a threat to his life.
The chair of the NMA demanded that the police release the report of their investigation into theallegation of threat to life and property. He also urged the security agencies to ensure the safety of the other eight doctors accused of threatening the life of the Chief Medical Director.
“The question again is what have the police done with this allegation especially now that one of those on the list has been involved in strange circumstances of a fire accident,” Dr. Betiku said.