UNILAG Medical Centre killed Oluchi ─ Victim’s sister

Firstclass newsline learnt that nkem Anekwe, the elder sister of
Oluchi Anekwe, a first-class student of the University of Lagos, who
was on Tuesday electrocuted by a high-tension wire, says the
negligence of the UNILAG Medical Center caused the death of her
younger sister.
She also said the high-tension wire, which caused the death of Oluchi
also fell on her younger sister, Uju Anekwe, but she survived the
encounter.
This is just as the National Association of Nigerian Students,
South-West zone, said it would sue the electricity distribution
company for the death.
Nkem told firstclass newsline that Uju, a student of the College of
Medicine, Idi Araba, was injured by the cable and was also
hospitalised. She added that the young lady had been discharged and
was recuperating at home.
A source had reported that academic activities at the university were
paralysed on Wednesday as students of the institution protested
against the death of Oluchi, a 300-Level student of the Department of
Accounting.
Twenty-two-year-old Oluchi and her sister were returning from an
evening Mass, when the high-tension wire fell on them at about 7pm.
When a the source visited the Anekwes' on Thursday, Nkem, a lawyer,
stated that both ladies were initially rushed alive to the medical
centre, adding that Oluchi could have survived if she was promptly
attended to.
She said, "It was not only Oluchi that the wire fell on; it also
injured Uju. I got to know about the incident at about 8pm. I quickly
rushed to the university's medical centre. When I got there, Uju told
me that she and Oluchi had held each other's hands as they walked to
the hostel.
"The wire fell on Oluchi's left arm, and the two of them were
electrocuted. Oluchi lost consciousness immediately, while Uju managed
to call out to passersby to help them.
"Both of them were rushed to the medical centre. The officials on duty
requested their identity cards and said they would not do anything
until the cards were brought. When I got to the centre, Oluchi was
alive, as her eyes were open and her body was warm and normal, but
only her left arm was stiff. I asked the medical personnel if any
first-aid was given to her, but they did not reply me."
As of the time of visit, Uju, who was said to be sleeping in an inner
room, did not talk with a source.
Oluchi's father, Chief Basil Anekwe, said Oluchi's death was a great
loss to the family. He added that the university's authorities should
ensure that his daughter's autopsy was done, and a death certificate
issued promptly.
He said, "On Sunday, when I saw Oluchi, she said I should send her
some money for upkeep. On Tuesday, I was planning to send about
N30,000 to her, when I learnt about the incident. I was initially told
it was a mere accident.
"I am only glad that my daughter did not die returning from a party or
an offensive place; she died returning from the presence of God. The
university delegation this morning brought a letter to me from the
VC."
The mother, who was distraught, was said to be unavailable for comment
as of the time of firstclass newsline's visit.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Oluchi's remains would be taken to the
Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State on Friday (today) for
burial.
Meanwhile, the NANS, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer,
South-West Zone, Jeremiah Olatinwo, said it would sue the electricity
distribution company that owned the faulty wire to ensure compensation
for the family.
Father
The statement read in part, "The NANS shall be taking up this case
alongside the University of Lagos Students Union to see to it that
Oluchi's family is compensated for the damages caused by the
electricity distribution company.
"The unfortunate injury to Oluchi is an injury to all Nigerian
students and we will not keep quiet in the face of the threat to our
fundamental rights to life.
"We call on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the Senate
Committee on Power to sanction the electricity distribution company
for its noncompliance to safety and health guidelines in its
distribution and transmission."
The Public Relations Officer, UNILAG, Mr. Olagoke Oke, however, said
the workers were on the ground to attend to the injured ladies.
He said, "It is not true that the negligence of officials caused the
lady's death. The UNILAG workers were on ground, and they were with
her till the very end."
FG sends team to UNILAG
Okechukwu Nnodim
The Federal Government on Thursday said it had dispatched a technical
team to examine the location where Oluchi was electrocuted in UNILAG.
It said the technical team, led by the Managing Director of the
Nigeria Electricity Management Services Limited, Peter Ewesor, had
commenced investigations into the matter.
"The team is expected to find out what actually went wrong and who is
culpable, after which sanctions will be recommended," the Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali, said in a
statement.
Firstclassnewsline.net