The death of the first civilian governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adeleke, has been linked to excessive dose of analgesics, sedatives and alcohol.
This was revealed as the pathologist who conducted the autopsy examination on the late senator, Solaja Olufemi, testified before the coroner inquest on Wednesday n Osogbo.
Mr. OIufemi who works at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, also refuted the notion that Mr. Adeleke was poisoned, saying that there were no traces of poison or heavy metal in the examined body of the deceased.
The investigation and autopsy began after the late senator’s family members and supporters alleged that Mr. Adeleke was poisoned.
Mr. Adeleke’s family has also rejected the inquest, saying its outcome has been predetermined.
Mr. Olufemi, the Consultant, Anatomic Pathologist at LAUTECH, also indicated in his testimony that the police carried out a toxicological examination on the deceased and the result was only given to him to read on Monday.
Mr. Olufemi said the pathological examination carried out on Mr. Adeleke’s corpse revealed that the deceased consumed excessive alcohol and was given an overdose of sedative and analgesics.
Being led in evidence by Oyindamola Daramola, a Senior Legal Officer for LAUTECH hospital, Mr. Olufemi explained that histology of the tissues from the body of the deceased was normal except from the heart which showed hypertrophy, adding that the liver showed alcoholic steato-hypatitis.
“Death in this case was due to aspiration of gastric content, although the deceased had hypertensive heart disease which could have caused sudden death, but no evidence of such, either grossly or microscopically,” he explained.
“It is known that excessive alcoholic intake may depress the central nervous system with the blunting of the gas influx.
“This may also induce vomiting. The deceased was deeply sedated and was given an overdose of analgesic, these drugs are known to cause central nervous system depression.”
The pathologist noted that Mr. Adeleke apparently “vomited” and “aspirated” due to the deep sedation, so that gastric contents blocked the airways, depriving his body of oxygen.
“This showed up in the body as stinge of colouration. This could cause vital seizure of the system,” he said.
“The toxicology report also showed abnormally high levels of alcohol, sedative and analgesic in the blood of the deceased.
“There were no traces of poising, or heavy metals in the toxicology report. Nigerian police did the toxicology examination and the result was given to me on May 15, 2017.”
Mr. Olufemi tendered a copy of the autopsy report and the court admitted it as exhibit EC3.
He informed the coroner that the copy of the toxicology report was not released to him by the police, even though he had the opportunity to read it.
The Chief Medical Director of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Wale Lasisi, who testified before the corona on Monday had spoken in the same vein, saying that one of the drugs administered on Adeleke was Analgin, a drug banned by NAFDAC several years ago.
He also told the coroner that the person who administered the drug was neither a medical doctor nor a nurse.
Mr. Adeleke’s “Health Assistant,” Alfred Aderibigbe, who allegedly administered the drugs on the deceased senator, attended the sitting, but had his testimony deferred.
According to his counsel, Lekan Alabi, he was only served the summons on Tuesday, pleading that the evidence be adjourned till Friday.
Mr. Alabi also explained that Mr. Aderibigbe had been going through a psychological trauma and was not prepared to give evidence before the coroner.
He also requested for an interpreter on the ground that Mr. Aderibigbe would give evidence in Yoruba language.
However, instead of the request for the Friday date, the coroner, Olusegun Ayilara, adjourned the taking of Mr. Aderibigbe’s evidence to Thursday.
The Divisional Police Officer, Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, Ogunkanmi Gbemileke also appeared before the coroner, and said that he was given the empty samples and vials which he later handed over to officer in charge of homicide for examination.
Mr. Gbemileke added that specimen taken by the pathologist was given to one CSP Benedict.
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