LUTH consultant’s death: Police arrest widower

Dr Femi Thomas, widower of late Consultant Paediatrician at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Dr. Hestianna Thomas, was yesterday transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, SCIID, Yaba, over alleged involvement in his wife’s death.

Dr. Thomas as reliably gathered, submitted himself to policemen at Ajao estate division immediately his wife was certified dead at the LUTH last week.

However during interrogation, he reportedly told policemen that his wife could have committed suicide, maintaining that he knew nothing about her death.

As at yesterday, policemen at the Homicide section of SCIID had reportedly swung into action in their bid to unravel the cause of the late Consultant Paediatrician’s death and subsequently bring her assailants to book. Sources at the SCIID hinted that until the contrary was proved, Dr Thomas would have to remain their guest.

Sources explained that although Dr Thomas was the complainant “ but with the marks of violence on the body of the deceased, it leaves us with no option than to detain him until the contrary is proved”.

Confirming his arrest, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr Joe Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP said “ Yes, Dr Thomas has been transferred to the SCIID. He said that he found the body of his wife outside their room that fateful morning and rushed her to LUTH where doctors confirmed her dead. The man submitted himself to the Police at Ajao division .

“ We do not know the cause of her death yet. But there were marks of violence on her body. Investigation is however still on. The corpse has been deposited at the LUTH morgue”.

However, Management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos, has urged the public including to refrain from speculations about the cause of death of one of its consultants.

In a statement signed by the Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof Chris Bode, he appealed to members of the public to wait for the result of the Coroner’s inquest into the death of the late Consultant before jumping into conclusion.

The statement read: “On Tuesday, 14th October 2015, Dr (Mrs) Hestia Idiodi-Thomas, a young Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and staff of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital was brought to the LUTH Accidents and Emergency Department following  injuries sustained in  tragic circumstances within her home environment.

“ All efforts at resuscitating her failed and she was pronounced dead. The untimely death of this mother of two was a rude shock to her colleagues and the entirety of the LUTH community.

“The police were promptly informed and a Coroner’s inquest into the case is almost completed.

“Dr Heista Idiodi-Thomas was beloved by her colleagues, patients and all members of LUTH community who admired her dedication to duty, her gentle ever-smiling mien and humility to all. We shall all miss her.

“While we pray for the repose of her soul, we appeal to all to refrain from any speculations about the cause of death until the coroner’s verdict has been pronounced.

“We therefore implore the press and the general public to please respect the memory of this rare gem and leave the family to mourn as they should during this difficult period”.

Meanwhile when contacted on the release of the autopsy report, the Deputy Secretary , Nigerian Medical Association, NMA Lagos branch, Dr Peters Ogunubi, he assured that it would be ready by weekend.

According to him, “we cannot confirm if he (Dr Thomas) has been arrested by the police. But we can only tell you that the result of the autopsy will be out before weekend. And that will rest the controversy.”