The family of a former Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Trade and Export, the late Mrs Shimite Bello, has called for an investigation into the circumstances leading to her death.
This is as the family backed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s decision to transfer the case to Abuja.
Bello was said to have died on Easter Sunday after she was rushed to a hospital in Asaba, the state capital.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagu, who announced her death, according to reports, stated that the circumstances surrounding Bello’s death were unclear to him.
The spokesperson for the police in the state, Bright Edafe, also confirmed that there were controversies surrounding Bello’s death.
In a statement on Friday by the family head, Kimashinor Nwakalo-Imu, the family raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding Bello’s at her residence in Asaba, Delta State.
“This is more than a tragic loss, it is a painful consequence of a system that failed her when she needed it most. We urge the authorities to pursue a comprehensive and transparent probe, “he said.
According to Nwakalo-Imu’s account, Bello, a known hypertensive patient, became seriously ill over a two-day period and was reportedly treated at the hospital.
He said the individual who treated her allegedly administered medication for stomach pain without conducting any vital checks such as blood pressure, blood sugar, or oxygen levels.
“Worse still, a used intravenous (IV) drip was discovered in the trash by a witness after the death. Photographic evidence identified the fluid as Aventra 5% dextrose and saline—an infusion that, while standard for stable patients, poses significant risks for hypertensive individuals due to its salt and sugar content.
“This type of IV fluid can dangerously elevate blood pressure and cause fluid retention in patients with hypertension,” Nwakalo-Imu added.
He stated that the IV bottle was reportedly discovered with the needle and hub still attached, raising questions about the safety and legality of the procedures carried out.
Nwakalo-Imu also claimed that preliminary coroner’s observation noted enlarged organs, a condition consistent with complications from unmanaged hypertension.
The family head noted: “Everything about this case screams negligence. She needed expert care. What she received was the opposite. We demand a thorough probe. Let justice be done for Shimite, and for every Nigerian who believes in the right to safe medical treatment.”