The Edo State Police Command has provided an explanation for the brief detention of Christopher Owegie, whose wife tragically passed away at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Saturday. According to a statement released by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, Mr Owegie was taken into custody following an assault on the medical doctor who had been attending to his wife prior to her death.
The statement, disseminated to journalists in Benin by the command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, revealed that Mr Owegie was held in safe custody, counselled for approximately an hour, and then released without conditions. The incident occurred on April 6, 2024, when Mr Owegie brought his wife, who was in a coma, to UBTH for treatment.
Dr Osaretin Asemota, the attending physician, managed to stabilise her condition initially. However, she later succumbed while still receiving treatment and was declared deceased by the doctor. The news of his wife’s death provoked Mr Owegie to such an extent that he physically assaulted Dr Asemota, accusing him of deception for prescribing expensive medications for his wife, knowing she would ultimately pass away.
Following the assault, Dr Asemota lodged a complaint against Mr Owegie at the Ugbowo Police Division in Benin. The police subsequently apprehended Mr Owegie, took statements, and placed him in safe custody before releasing him. The Commissioner explained that the purpose of this peaceful safe custody was to help Mr Owegie rid himself of harmful thoughts that might lead him to harm himself or others due to the agony of losing his wife.
Commissioner Adegboye urged citizens to always abide by the law and avoid being driven by negative emotions, particularly in public spaces. He also encouraged those in essential services to uphold their duties in serving humanity and bringing joy to the people they have sworn to serve.
In light of the assault, the association of resident doctors at the hospital threatened to go on strike. Commissioner Adegboye appealed to them to reconsider their decision for the sake of the innocent patients in their care.