JUSTICE FOR NIGERIA’S EBOLA VICTIMS

JUSTICE FOR NIGERIA’S EBOLA VICTIMS

Our hearts go out to all Ebola victims wherever they may be, and to whatever degree they have suffered. Nigeria’s Ebola victims, however, occupy a special place in our hearts. They were mostly those who were out to help the sick, only to fall victims themselves. Also, without any sense of recrimination yet, they were victims of system failure. Nigerian system failed them. Nigeria knew that Ebola was lurking in its backyard, but took no preemptive steps to avoid it.

If there were such preemptive steps, Patrick Sawyer would not have been in any Nigerian medical clinic for 24 hours before he would be diagnosed with Ebola. That is if Sawyer ever would have made it into Nigeria with a travel ban in place. If there were preemptive measures, the medics at the First Consultants Medical Center would have had protective suits to guard themselves from infection. If there were such preemptive measures, the victims would have commenced treatment sooner. If there were such measures, the required drug would have been procured in time. Those measures were absent. As a result, the victims suffered and even lost their lives,  all due to the inefficiency and failure of the Nigerian system. 

Beyond their pain and suffering, they were also heroes because their lives became the wall and barrier that protected thousands of Nigerians from exposure to Ebola. They saved us all. They saved this country. They died in the most painful manner for human beings to die. They died watching death approach but not be able to ward it off. To understand the bravery of these hero-victims, particularly those at the First Consultant, consider the following excerpts from the medical notes and statements of the doctors on their first-hand encounter with Ebola.

First Consultants Medical Center Ltd Press Statement on the Ebola Virus Disease Patient Date Posted: 29/July/2014:

In the interest of our patients, staff, the general public the nation at large we state the following: A 40-years old gentlemen came into the hospital with symptoms suggestive of Malaria (Fever, headache, extreme weakness) on Sunday night (20th July 2014). He was fully conscious and gave us his clinical history and told us he is a Senior Diplomat from Liberia. Laboratory investigations confirmed malaria whilst other test for HIV, Hepatitis B&C were negative. He was admitted and treatment commenced. However, due to the fact that he was not responding to treatment but rather was developing haemorrhagic symptoms we further questioned him. He denied having been in contact with any persons with EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) at home, in any hospital or at any burial. In spite of this denial we immediately decided to do the following:

1. To conduct further tests for possible Infectious Hemorrhagic Disease, especially EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE, based on the fact that he was a Liberian citizen and the recent outbreak of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE in that country 

2. We immediately isolated/quarantined the patient, commenced barrier nursing and simultaneously contacted the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Health to inquire where further laboratory tests could be performed as we had a high index of suspicion of possible EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE 

3. WE REFUSED FOR HIM TO BE LET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL IN SPITE OF INTENSE PRESSURE, AS WE WERE TOLD THAT HE WAS A SENIOR ECOWAS OFFICIAL AND HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AT THE ECOWAS CONVENTION IN CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE. 

4. The initial test results from LUTH laboratory indicated a signal of possible EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE, but required confirmation. 

5. We then took the further step of reaching out to Senior Officials in the office of the Secretary of Health of the United States of America who promptly assisted us with contacts at the centres for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organisation Regional Laboratory Centre in Senegal. 

6. Working jointly with the State, Federal Agencies and International Agencies, we were able to obtain confirmation of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (ZAIRE STRAIN), (W.H.O. Regional Center Lab-Senegal/Redeemers lab/LUTH Laboratory)

7. The gentleman subsequently died on Friday at a 6.50 (25th July, 2014) 

8. All agencies were promptly notified and in consultation with W.H.O, Regional EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Centre in Conakry, Guinea and Best Practices, the following was commenced:a. Orderly temporary shut down of the hospital with immediate evacuation of in house patients. The appropriate professional removal of the body and its incineration under W.H.O. guidelines witnessed by all appropriate agencies.

9. Having concluded the above, it is now appropriate to give this Press release in the interest of our patients, staff, the general public and the nation at large. 10. In keeping with W.H.O, guidelines, hospitals is shut down briefly as full decontamination exercise is currently in progress W.H.O. Guidelines In conclusion working with the STATE, FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES, we were able to identify and confirm the diagnosis of the EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE. We hope that by our action of preventing this gentleman from being extracted from our hospital and traveling to Calabar we have been able to prevent the spread of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE in Nigeria. The Board and Management of the Hospital wish to thank all our staff members for their diligence and professionalism. Thank You.

 Signed Dr.B.N.OHIAERI 

            DR.A.S.ADADEVEOH 

            First Consultants Medical Centre Limited 

            16/24 Ikoyi Road, Obalende, Lagos.

These brave people lost their lives so that others could live. It is time now for this nation to remember them and do justice by them. Their names must be immortalized in various ways that this country is capable of. Their family members and dependents must be cushioned against the economic aspect of their losses. The world has recognized that Ebola is not just a health crisis but also an economic crisis. Therefore, we urge the Government of Nigeria to also offer support to First Consultant Medical Services so that they would be able to sustain themselves beyond this tragedy and the time it would take them to normalize operations. 

Also, Nigerian Government should use this incident to finally face and tackle the problems of inadequate protection for health workers in Nigeria. There should now be an occupational hazard protection program for our medical personnel and health workers. Those of them who encounter danger in their workplace must be assured that they have the backing of their country.

Nothing short of the above would approximate to justice for the victims of Ebola in Nigeria. We, members of DPA strongly advocate for justice for these heroes and victims. May God bless them for their courage.

 Emeka Ugwuonye, Esquire 

 The Due Process Advocates (DPA)

  August 22, 2014

THE WAY THE DISCOVERY WORKS IN AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM

Sowore

THE WAY THE DISCOVERY WORKS IN AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM


In the wake of the discovery that Sahara Reporters' story on Stella Oduah was false, at best, and more likely a fabrication that formed part of a broader witch-hunt to destroy the woman, many have come forward to openly ask about the viability of suing someone in America for defamation. I had flagged that discovery is a major obstacle as most Nigerian officials cannot withstand the rigor of discovery. And the most difficult part of discovery is known as deposition because deposition requires that the person be examined under oath. As an example of deposition, I am attaching the following transcripts of the deposition I had on Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters. As you read the transcripts, they show you how deposition could be used to prove that a person is a liar. For instance, many Nigerians would be shocked to read what Sowore's deposition revealed about him. The main aim of the deposition was for me to show Sowore as a habitual liar. And that came out well in the deposition transcripts below.




OMOYELE SOWORE, PUBLISHER OF SAHARA REPORTERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LIAR.





In the lawsuit I filed against him, which was frustrated by EFCC interference through its detention of me in Lagos, I was able to conduct a deposition of Sowore


Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye, Esquire
President
ECULAW GROUP

Now read Sowore's testimony below and see a born again liar posing to be a journalist.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DPA.Member/249197051916471/