By Prosper Mene
A Lagos-based lawyer, Justice John, has publicly accused Gynescope Specialist Hospital in Lekki, Lagos, of medical negligence that he claims led to the tragic death of his wife, Akudo Lovelyn John, shortly after she gave birth to their son.
The incident occurred in early December 2025. According to Justice John, his wife had received antenatal care at the hospital with no known underlying health issues. During her third trimester, concerns were raised about the baby’s large size (delivered at 4.2 kg), but the consultant insisted on a spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) rather than a caesarean section.
Labor began on December 3, 2025. An episiotomy was performed during delivery, but complications arose, including excessive postpartum bleeding (primary postpartum hemorrhage, or PPH). John alleged that a junior doctor handled key procedures without adequate supervision, internal bleeding was identified but not promptly addressed, and there was a critical delay, spanning about 15 hours, in referring her to another facility despite her deteriorating condition. Blood transfusion occurred without first identifying and repairing the bleeding source.
In the early hours of December 4, 2025, his wife reportedly convulsed with no immediate medical personnel present. Evacuation efforts were marred by further alleged lapses: lack of oxygen in the ward, a stretcher without side guards (leading to her falling off during transfer), delays in accessing the ambulance (keys reportedly held by HR, battery reconnection needed), and confusion over the route. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital (LIMH).
The hospital issued a death certificate citing cardiac arrest, but an autopsy at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), part of a coroner’s inquest, reportedly confirmed haemorrhagic shock as the cause, contradicting the initial claim.
Justice John has petitioned the Lagos State Government (including the Commissioner for Health), the Health Service Commission, and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for a thorough investigation into the events, professional conduct of the doctors involved, and broader accountability in maternal care. He has described the loss as devastating, noting their marriage lasted only about a year, and emphasized that his healthy wife entered the hospital but never returned home alive.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Chairman, Uchenna Akingbade, has supported calls for urgent probes, stressing patient safety and accountability.
The hospital’s proprietor, Prof. Jude Okohue, described the incident as “very unfortunate” but denied negligence, suggesting tragic outcomes can occur despite efforts and welcoming the autopsy for clarity.
