…say ‘we were left to sit on bare floor without attention

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Victims of the recent explosion in Abuja have expressed frustration over the poor services at the National Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital, calling for immediate action.

During a visit to the hospital on Thursday, media observed distressing scenes, with some patients sitting on the floor, their bodies covered in wounds and bandages.

Victims who spoke to the media revealed that many of them were not attended to until the early hours of the following day, with some claiming they were discharged without receiving proper treatment.

They lamented being left to sit on the floor for hours.

“We waited for hours without any care. It wasn’t until around 4 a.m. the next day that some of us were finally seen by medical staff,” one victim lamented.

Others criticised the hospital’s lack of adequate facilities and personnel, highlighting the dire conditions they endured.

“This is supposed to be one of the best hospitals in the country, but the reality is far from it. We were treated poorly, and some of us were sent home even though we needed further medical attention,” another patient said.

The family of a patient receiving medical treatment has expressed deep concerns over the rising costs of drugs and healthcare expenses, lamenting the financial burden placed on them while caring for their loved one.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, a relative of the patient described the overwhelming strain of purchasing necessary medications, which they say has drained their savings.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure our loved one gets the best care, but the cost of treatment is becoming unbearable,” they said.

The family called on authorities to address the high cost of essential medicines, urging more subsidies or assistance programmes to support patients and their caregivers.

A hospital official told SaharaReporters that some patients at the hospital experienced delays in receiving medical attention because doctors prioritised those with severe injuries.

According to hospital authorities, individuals with minor injuries were discharged to free up space for those in critical condition.

“Some patients were not attended to in a timely manner because others had major injuries that required urgent care,” the official said.

Officials reassured the public that those discharged did not have serious injuries and were stable enough to leave. Meanwhile, the hospital continues to manage patient influx and provide necessary treatment to those in need.

Efforts to get a reaction from Muhammad Gidado Adamu, the Senior Public Relations Officer at the National Hospital Abuja, proved unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced that he has taken responsibility for the medical bills of victims involved in a tragic road accident in Karu.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike said he immediately instructed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt medical attention for the victims.

“On my directive, Dr. Fasawe was at Asokoro District Hospital throughout the night, working alongside medical personnel attending to the 17 casualties brought in,” Wike stated.

According to the minister, seven of the victims were later transferred to the National Hospital, while six with minor injuries were successfully treated. Three others with severe burns and crush injuries remain under medical care, though one of them, who suffered third-degree burns, succumbed despite resuscitation efforts.

Wike used the opportunity to urge road users, particularly heavy-duty vehicle drivers, to adhere strictly to speed limits and traffic rules to prevent similar tragedies.

“It is painful that precious lives were lost, and vehicles were destroyed in an accident that could have been avoided,” he lamented.

He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts to enforce road safety regulations and ensure strict compliance

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced on Wednesday.

The one-count indictment names 43-year-old Funke Iyanda as the sole defendant, reportedly without legal status in the United States, a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, said.

According to the indictment, between May 27, 2020, and May 24, 2021, Iyanda allegedly prepared and submitted a false application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits using another person’s identity.

The fraudulent claim, submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, resulted in Iyanda unlawfully receiving approximately $40,980 in benefits.

If convicted, Iyanda faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence would be determined based on the federal sentencing guidelines, considering the severity of the offence and any prior criminal history.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is handling the prosecution on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation that led to the indictment.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday, granted an interim injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving a petition to initiate a recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.

The Court also restricted INEC staff members, agents, privies or assigns from accepting or acting on any petition containing fictitious signatures of purported members of Kogi Central Senatorial District and conducting any referendum upon such pending the determination of the Motion on Notice to the same effect.

The court, according to the order paper made available to journalists on Friday morning, granted the application following an ex-parte application for interim injunction supported by an affidavit of wxtreme urgency together with other court processes sworn to by Anebe Jacob Ogirima for himself and four others who are registered voters and constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi state.

The application was moved by Smart Nwachimere, Esq of West-Idahosa, SAN & Co.

The case has been adjourned to May 6, 2025, for a report of service and further mention.

Reacting to the development, a pressure group, Action Collective, praised the judiciary for granting the order.

The group’s coordinator, Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, said in his reaction that, “the order will further expose impunity of some sponsored individuals behind the failed plot to recall Senator Natasha.”