Adeleke Did Not Die of Poison, Pathologist Reveals

By Fatai Akanji

The  Consultant, Anatomic Pathologist at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Olufemi Solaja has revealed that Senator Isiaka Adeleke did not die of poison as being speculated.

Dr Solaja who led the medical investigative team that carried out pathological examination on Adeleke’s corpse said there was no traces of poison or heavy metal in the body of  the deceased when examined.

This is contrary to the widespread insinuation that the late politician was poisoned at a party he attended shortly before his death.

Solaja who appeared before the coroner inquest set up by the state government to probe Adeleke’s death following rumours and speculations, on Wednesday stated that the police carried out the toxicology examination on the deceased and the result was given to him to read on May 15, 2017.

Solaja, who is the Consultant, Anatomic Pathologist at the LAUTECH hospital, said the pathological examination carried out on Adeleke’s corpse revealed that the deceased consumed excessive alcohol and was given an over doze of sedative and analgesic medicines.

The pathologist who was led in evidence by Mrs Oyindamola Daramola, a Senior Legal Officer for LAUTECH hospital, explained that histology of the tissues from the body of the deceased was normal except from the heart which showed hypertrophy, adding that the liver showed alcoholic steato-hypatitis.

He said: “Death in this case was due to aspiration of gastric content, although the deceased had hypertensive heart disease which could have cause sudden death, but no evidence of such, either grossly or microscopically.

“It is known that excessive alcoholic intake may depress the central nervous system with the blunting of the gas influx. This may also induce vomiting. The deceased was deeply sedated and was given an overdose of analgesic, these drugs are known to cause central nervous system depression.

“He apparently vomited and aspirated due to the deep sedation, so the aspiration of the gastric content blocked the airways, depriving the body of oxygen. This showed up in the body as stinge of colouration. This could cause vital seizure of the system.

“The toxicology report also showed abnormally high levels of alcohol, sedative and analgesic in the blood of the deceased. There was no traces of poising, or heavy metals in the toxicology report. Nigerian police did the toxicology examination and the result was given to me on May 15, 2017.”

Solaja tendered a copy of the autopsy report and the court admitted it as exhibit EC3.

He informed the coroner that the copy of the toxicology report was not released to him after reading it.

The Health Assistant, Mr Alfred Aderibigbe, that allegedly treated Adeleke when he was complaining of pains was in coroner but his evidence was not taken.

Counsel to Aderibigbe, Mr Lekan Alabi pleaded with the coroner to adjourn his evidence to Friday, saying that he was just served the summon the coroner on Tuesday.

Alabi explained that due to the psychological trauma been pass throughrecently by Aderibigbe, he was not prepared to give evidence before the coroner. He also requested for an interpreter on the ground that Aderibigbe would give evidence in Yoruba language.

However, the coroner, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara adjourned the taking of Aderibigbe’s evidence till tomorrow.

The Divisional Police Officer, Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, Mr Ogunkanmi Gbemileke also appeared before the coroner, and said that he was given the empty amples and vials which he later handed over to OC Homicide for examination .

Gbemileke added that specimen taken by the pathologist was given to one CSP Benedict Agbu.