Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, has begged the staff and management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to shelve their proposed strike following an assault meted on one of their doctors, Dr Osaretin Asemota by one Mr Owegie Christopher as a result of the death of his wife.
The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor while quoting the Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, said the hospital should not look at the actions of one man to punish the larger number of persons who need their services.
Stating what happened, the CP said that one Mr. Owegie Christopher brought his wife who was in a state of coma to the hospital who eventually died when being attended to by the said Dr Osaretin Asemota.
According to CP Adegboye “On the 6th of April 2024, one Mr Owegie Christopher was said to have taken his wife, who was in a state of coma to the UBTH Benin for treatment.
“The woman was attended to by a medical doctor, one Dr Osaretin Asemota who stabilized her condition at a time but she later gave up the ghost while receiving treatment and was confirmed dead by the medical doctor.
“The news of the woman’s death enraged her husband, Mr Owegie Christopher to the extent that he attacked and assaulted Dr Osaretin Asemota and accused him of being deceptive for asking him to buy expensive medicines for his wife when he knew she will eventually die.
“He sworn to make the doctor go through the same pain he passed through.
“The doctor was, however, rescued by his colleagues and the hospital security personnel.
“He immediately headed to Ugbowo Police Divisional Headquarters, Benin City, to lodged a complaint of assault against Mr Owegie Christopher.
“The Divisional Police Officer received his complaint.
“Their statements were taken while the suspect was kept in safe custody, counsel for about one hour, and he was released unconditionally to go home with his family members and friends.
“It is remarkable to state unequivocally that the essence of his peaceful safe custody is strategic, proactive and geared towards getting him rid of evil thoughts that may lead him to commit suicide or cause harm to himself and even others as a result of the agony of losing his wife”,
To this end, CP Funsho Adegboye, further advised citizens to be guided by law in all circumstances and to avoid being controlled by negative emotions when dealing with issues especially in the public spaces.
He also advised those who are on essential services to step up their duties in saving humanity and putting smiles on the faces of people in whom they took oaths of office to serve.