Mr Justice John, a lawyer, has urged the Lagos State Government and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to investigate alleged negligence at Gynescope Specialist Hospital, Lekki.
John said his wife, Mrs Akudo John, aged 32, died on Dec. 4 following complications from childbirth at the private hospital.
He made the call on Wednesday during a press conference at the International Press Centre, Ogba, Lagos, demanding accountability and justice.
“My wife went into that hospital healthy and alive. She did not come out alive,” John said.
According to him, his wife delivered their baby through Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD) on Dec. 3.
He said she later died from haemorrhagic shock, a claim supported by an autopsy report from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
John alleged gross medical negligence, delayed response, and poor clinical judgment by the hospital’s medical team.
He said doctors failed to act promptly when his wife’s condition deteriorated after delivery.
John further alleged that medical personnel refused to refer his wife to a specialist facility despite clear signs of distress.
“My wife and I registered for antenatal care at 13 weeks and attended faithfully until delivery,” he said.
He said the family paid ₦450,000 for antenatal care, excluding additional tests conducted externally on the hospital’s advice.
John said concerns were raised in the third trimester about the baby’s large size.
“I asked about an elective caesarean section because of the baby’s size,” he said.
According to him, the consultant, Dr Joseph Yahaya, dismissed the concerns and assured them vaginal delivery was safe.
“These repeated assurances formed the basis of our trust in their professional judgment,” he said.
John said his wife delivered vaginally, paying nearly ₦1.2 million in total hospital bills.
He said the baby weighed 4.2kg, which medical experts classify as foetal macrosomia.
John alleged his wife began bleeding severely shortly after delivery.
“She complained of an internal flow of liquid before the bleeding became uncontrollable,” he said.
He alleged that after a second suturing procedure, his wife appeared pale, unconscious, and lifeless for several hours.
“The consultant admitted there was internal bleeding, yet no referral was made,” John said.
He alleged no expert surgeon was called in spite of the worsening situation.
John said five pints of blood were transfused without first identifying the bleeding source.
“It was like pouring water into a basket. The bleeding did not stop,” he said.
He alleged the hospital ambulance was unavailable when urgent transfer became necessary.
According to him, there was a 15-hour window between delivery and his wife’s death.
John also alleged negligence during evacuation from the hospital.
“The stretcher had no side guards or straps,” he said.
He alleged his wife fell from the stretcher onto the tiled walkway on the third floor.
“I challenge the hospital to release the CCTV footage from that day,” he said.
John said the hospital-issued death certificate cited cardiac arrest as the cause of death.
He said this contradicted the LUTH autopsy report, which stated haemorrhagic shock.
John called for a thorough investigation and sanctions against those responsible.
“The operations of this hospital must undergo deep scrutiny,” he said.
He urged the MDCN to investigate the doctors’ professional conduct and enforce disciplinary measures.
Mrs Uchenna Akingbade, Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, also called for urgent investigations.
“A hospital is meant to save lives, not cut them short,” she said.
Akingbade said every Nigerian has a constitutional right to life.
“Our colleague expected a certain standard of care for his wife,” she said.
She stressed that justice must not only be done but seen to be done.
“It is Mrs Akudo John today; it may be anybody tomorrow,” Akingbade said.
She pledged institutional support for John and monitoring of the coroner’s inquest.
Dr Tolu Aderemi, Chairman of the NBA Law Reform Committee, described the allegations as clear medical negligence.
“They had 15 hours to save her life. Those hours are critical,” he said.
Aderemi criticised hospitals that prioritise infrastructure over skilled medical expertise.
He urged authorities to act decisively to prevent similar tragedies.
Chief Raymond Ohaekeleme, the deceased’s uncle, said the family would continue to seek justice.
However, the hospital management rejected the allegations.
Prof. Jude Okohue, a gynaecologist, however, said all necessary medical steps were taken.
He said two hospital staff donated blood in efforts to save Mrs John.
“The bleeding was not related to delivery, and she did not bleed for 15 hours,” Okohue said.
He said doctors allowed vaginal delivery in spite of family pressure for a caesarean section.
Okohue disputed the haemorrhagic shock diagnosis.
He said the bleeding originated from the anus, not the vagina.
According to him, an autopsy showed intestinal diverticulosis as the cause of death.
“The condition was not related to childbirth,” he said.
Okohue said the hospital welcomed a coroner’s inquest.
“We have nothing to hide and committed no infraction,” he said.
He added that he visited the family after the incident and sympathised with them.
Okohue said he was surprised by the public allegations and renewed calls for investigation.
