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Police Toxicologist Report Faults Adeleke Nurse’s Claim on Gentamicine, IM Drug
—–Collaborates Pathologist Findings
By Fatai Akanji
The police toxicology report on the pathological examination carried out on late Senator Isiaka Adeleke has faulted the claim by the nurse, Mr Alfred Aderibigbe who administered drugs on the deceased earlier before his death.
Aderibigbe who is a Chief Nursing Officer at Comprehensive Health Centre, Edunabon, Osun State, had during his evidence before the coroner set up by the Osun state government to probe Adeleke’s death on Thursday denied administering Gentamicine on the senator while treating him for gout.
The nurse said he diluted hydrocortisone in fluid and gave Metamyzole, diazepam, pentazocine and analgin intramuscular to the deceased.
But the toxicologist examination carried out by Mr Benedict Agbu, a police forensic expert, revealed that Adeleke was administered with gentamicine before his death.
The report which was admitted Exhibit at the coroner disclosed that Metamyzole, diazepam pentazocine and analgin were administered on Adeleke intravenously against Aderibigbe’s claim.
Analyses of the findings in the blood and urine samples taken from Adeleke’s corpse, as contained in the toxicology report proved negative result for the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbon herbicides, organo-phosforous pesticide, rodenticides, metallic poison, cynide and tri-cylic anti depressants.
The report which was read at the coroner by a Superintendent Police, Mr Moses states: “The digested food particles were found in the gastric content but no drug particle was found in the exhibit.
“Presence diacepam, pentazocine, anagin, hydrocortisone and gentamicine were confirmed in the blood and urine samples submitted.
“Metamyzole and its metabolites 27.2ug/ml, hydrocortisone 9.25ug/ml, Gentamicin 17.4ug/ml, pentazocine 4.5ug/ml, diazepam 12.2 ug/ml, also urine diazepam conetration 7.1ug/ml.
“Fatalities have been reported at the following blood concentration: Metamyzole (Analgin) 22.0ug/ml, pentazocin, 1.2ug/ml, Gentamicin 12ug/ml, Diazepam, 5.0ug/ml, hydrocortisone, 3.7ug/ml.
“The presence of alcohol was also confirmed in the blood, urine and gastric content with concentration of 450ug/ml, 215ug/ml and 562ug/ml respectively. The blood concentrations of the drugs are above the levels known to cause fatalities.
“The confirmation of diazepam, pentazocine, hydrocortisone and alcohol with the established concentration in the body of the deceased is capable of producing a fatal synergetic hypotensive and respiratory depressive effect. With the route of the delivery (intravenous) of the drugs, the effect will be sudden and capable of occurring in minutes. Such fatalities have been reported in literature. The low concentrations of the substances in the gastric content are as a result of the route of administration of the drugs.”
The toxicology reports, Aderibigbe’s statement, the reply of the Principal of the School of Nursing, Osogbo for the confirmation of Aderibigbe’s Nursing certificate and Bound to produce exhibit in police and court were admitted exhibit CE6A, CE6B, CE6C and CE6D by the coroner.
A lawyer who was observing the proceeding, Dr Basiru Ajibola, urged the coroner to call back Aderibigbe for clarifications on his evidence which contradict the toxicology report.
But the Coroner, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara said there was no need to call Aderibigbe back because the coroner would work on the reports and evidences admitted so far, just as he called on members of the public to submitted memorandum on the matter.
When asked why the autopsy report was given to the police, Moses said: “It is the normal and standard practice that when Form B and C are served on the pathologist, the report of the autopsy is to be submitted to the police, not family members.
“The essence of submitting the report to the police, upon a coroner request, is to enable the police, when necessary, pursue criminal prosecution. That was why after the completion of our investigation, the case file was duplicated and forwarded to the ministry of justice for legal advice.”
