According to a news report from Punch, the Kwara State Police Command has arraigned four workers from Cottage Hospital, Iloffa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, over the alleged disappearance of a baby’s placenta and umbilical cord.

The four suspects, brought before two Kwara Magistrates' Courts in Ilorin on Wednesday and Thursday, include Dr Ajibola Joseph, the hospital's resident doctor; Mrs Olanrewaju Joseph, the hospital matron; Mrs Peace Alabi, the nurse who assisted with the delivery; and Mrs Toyin Adewumi, a ward attendant.

The case arose when Mrs Bukola Williams, a teacher at Orota Community Secondary School in Odo-Owa, reported the missing placenta and umbilical cord of her newborn daughter, which she delivered at the hospital the previous Sunday. Mrs Williams claimed that the black nylon bag given to her by the hospital staff upon discharge did not contain her baby’s placenta and umbilical cord as expected.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the Police First Information Report stated that Dr Ajibola Joseph and matron Mrs Olanrewaju Joseph were charged with alleged negligence before the court.

According to the FIR, the two medical professionals were arraigned before the Magistrate Court on Wednesday for committing an offence titled, “Negligent conduct causing danger to person or property contrary to Section 196 of Penal Code Law of Nigeria.”

The duo were however granted bail by Magistrate A. A. Issa while the case was adjourned till June 26, 2024, for further hearing.

Meanwhile on Thursday, in another Magistrate Court presided by Chief Magistrate Qudus Adebayo, the bail application for Mrs Alabi Peace, who took the delivery and the ward attendant, Mrs Adewunmi Toyin, who allegedly disposed of the missing placenta, was denied.

While Oluwaseun Ikubami and C.M. Chima appeared for Mrs Adewunmi Toyin, Chief Isaac Adebayo and Mrs Bukola Owoniyi stood as the defence counsel for Mrs Peace Alabi.

Hassan Sheu represented the complainant, Mrs Williams, during the trial of the case at the court.

Though Chief Magistrate Adebayo said his court lacked jurisdiction in the case, he denied bail to the two suspects due to what he described as “the sensitivity of the matter.”

After the arguments of both parties, Adebayo ruled, “I have considered the application of the counsel on the bail of the two defendants and I hereby rule that the bail applications are refused. They are to be remanded at the Federal Correctional Facility in Ilorin.”

The case was adjourned till June 13, 2024, for a hearing.