“Newlywed Bleeds to Death in Lekki Hospital” — Husband Alleges Shocking Negligence, Cover-Up and Fatal Childbirth Horror
By Passman Akpos
A Lagos-based lawyer, Justice John, has accused Gynescope Specialist Hospital, Lekki, of gross medical negligence following the tragic death of his wife, Mrs. Akudo Lovelyn John, during childbirth, barely a year after their wedding.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who disclosed the incident in an emotional account, said he was moved to tears after learning of the circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. John, describing it as deeply painful and troubling. Effiong revealed that he attended the couple’s civil wedding on December 18, 2024, noting that Justice John, his longtime friend from their days at the Nigerian Law School, is now seeking justice for his late wife.
In a detailed personal statement titled “The Agony of Losing My Beloved and Newly Wedded Wife at Gynescope Specialist Hospital, Lekki,” Justice John alleged that his wife died from mismanaged Primary Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) following childbirth at the hospital where she had received antenatal care without any underlying health condition.
According to him, concerns were raised during antenatal visits about the size of the baby and the option of an elective Caesarean Section (CS), but the attending consultant, Dr. Joseph Aliyu Yahaya, allegedly dismissed the suggestion and insisted on spontaneous vaginal delivery.
Mrs. John went into labour on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and delivered a baby weighing 4.2kg after an episiotomy was performed. Justice John alleged that shortly after delivery, the consultant left the labour ward, while a subordinate handled the suturing. He said his wife soon complained of internal discomfort and continued bleeding.
Despite clear signs of complications, including severe bleeding, pallor and prolonged unconsciousness, Justice John claimed no decisive steps were taken to repair the source of the bleeding or refer her to a better-equipped facility. He alleged there was a critical 15-hour window between delivery and her eventual death during which inadequate care was provided.
At about 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Mrs. John reportedly began convulsing. Her husband said no medical personnel were initially present and that the ward lacked oxygen. Although he requested an immediate transfer to another hospital, he claimed the consultant initially refused, stating that no facility would accept her without a pulse.
Justice John further narrated disturbing events during the attempted evacuation, including his wife falling off an unsecured stretcher, delays caused by confusion among hospital staff, and an ambulance that was not ready for emergency use, with keys reportedly held by the hospital’s human resources manager. He said the ambulance stopped twice en route and appeared lost before eventually arriving at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, where his wife was pronounced dead on arrival.
While Gynescope Specialist Hospital reportedly issued a death certificate citing cardiac arrest as the cause of death, an autopsy conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) under a coroner’s inquest reportedly concluded that Mrs. John died from hemorrhagic shock, directly contradicting the hospital’s claim.
Justice John said he has formally written to the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Health Service Commission, and petitioned the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), demanding a thorough investigation, sanctions where appropriate, and possible criminal prosecution.
“I demand accountability,” he declared, as calls grow louder for justice under the hashtags #MedicalNegligence and #JusticeForLovelyn.
The Lagos State Government and Gynescope Specialist Hospital are yet to publicly respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
