LUTH Consultant's death: Police arrested 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.”