BY FAVOUR PERCY-IDUBOR/BENIN
TEARS flowed freely as a bereaved couple mourned the death of their nine-day-old twin babies, prompting a petition that has triggered police investigation into the incident at a private hospital in Edo State.
The tragedy allegedly occurred at Med-Vical Medical Centre, 44, Boundary Road, GRA, Benin City recently.
The babies, reportedly born preterm on July 9, 2025, at another hospital, were referred to Med-Vical Medical Centre the same day for paediatric and neonatal intensive care.
In a petition dated August 5, 2025, through their lawyer, the grieving parents, Mr. Jerry Sylvester and Mrs. Edwina Ezuruike Jerry, appealed to the Edo State Commissioner of Police to discreetly probe the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
They also demanded an autopsy to determine the cause, accusing the facility of medical negligence, secrecy and incompetence.
The petition alleged that the couple had already paid ₦4.4 million in medical bills before the second baby died.
According to them, when Mrs. Jerry arrived at the hospital, she discovered her child’s remains wrapped inside a carton, with the baby’s hands and legs tied, her head heavily bandaged, and blood seeping through.
Mr. Jerry further alleged that when he went to the hospital the next day to see the corpse, officials denied him access, insisting he first settle a N2.7 million balance. The petition stated that the hospital later moved the body to a mortuary without the parents’ consent.
“Our client informed us that, so far they have paid the sum of N4.4m and few days the second baby died and when his wife got to the hospital ,she discovered that they wrapped the baby inside a carton with her legs and hands tied with heavy bandage on her head and blood was rushing out of the carton.
“Our client stated that, the wife immediately called him and when he got there the following day and requested to see the baby, he was told that the person in charge is not around and they started demanding from our client to pay the sum of N2.7m as final payment.
“It is disheartening that without allowing our clients to see the corpse of the baby, the hospital took the baby to the mortuary and denied access. We therefore appeal for urgent intervention so that culprits are brought to book,” the petition read in part.
Confirming the development, Edo Police Command spokesman, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, said detectives have commenced inquiries.
