Man assaults doctor over wife’s death in Edo

Mr Owegie Christopher assaulted Dr Osaretin Asemota, a medical doctor at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), due to the death of his wife.

Christopher had brought his wife, who was in a critical condition, to UBTH on April 6.

Dr Asemota attended to her and initially stabilised her condition, but unfortunately, she passed away while receiving treatment.

Christopher, in a fit of anger over his wife’s death, accused Dr Asemota of deceit for prescribing expensive medicines despite knowing that she would not survive.

He physically attacked and assaulted the doctor. Colleagues and hospital security intervened to rescue Dr Asemota, who then reported the assault to the Ugbowo police divisional headquarters in Benin.

Edo State police commissioner, Funsho Adegboye, stated that Christopher was temporarily held in safe custody and counselled for about an hour before being unconditionally released to return home with his family and friends.

This approach, he said, aimed to prevent Christopher from harming himself or others due to the emotional distress of losing his wife.

He appealed to the Association of Resident Doctors at UBTH not to go on strike in response to the assault on their colleague, emphasising the importance of prioritising the lives of innocent citizens.