Court Convicts Famous Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Anu Of Medcontour Over Patient’s Death | See Details
The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Friday convicted Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju over a botched plastic surgery.
The cosmetic surgeon conducted a failed plastic surgery that resulted in the death of one of her patients, Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020.
She was tried alongside her clinic, MedContour Services Ltd., on a five-count charge bordering on a refusal to honour an invitation for an investigation into post-body surgery complications, as well as the production of investigation documents.
Dr Anu was charged by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). She was re-arraigned on July 17, 2020, alongside her medical outfit.
In July 2020, the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, urged the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel to investigate Adepoju’s alleged professional misconduct following the surgery on Onwuzuligbo.
The hospital management lamented that the medical doctor had continued to perform surgeries despite that her facility was sealed off by the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, adding that the victim suffered severe respiratory distress and septicaemia with infected surgical wounds.
The first prosecution witness, Susie Onwuka, an official of the FCCPC, said that the commission received a series of complaints from Adepoju’s customers between March and April 2020, adding that efforts to probe the allegations were allegedly frustrated by the surgeon.
In an interview with Vivian, a sister of the deceased, she claimed her late sister had “difficulty in breathing within 24 hours after the surgery performed on her by Dr. Anuoluwapo of Med Contour. She was put on oxygen by the nurses at Med Contour.”
However, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, a Federal High Court in Lagos reserved judgment in a suit filed against the Lagos plastic surgeon.
Justice Mohammed Liman had fixed Tuesday, Jan. 23, for judgment after the respective parties had adopted their final addresses in November 2023. But the judgement was not ready on Tuesday as earlier scheduled, and the court informed parties that a new date would be communicated to them soon.
On Friday, May 17, Babatunde Irukera, the immediate-past chief executive officer (CEO) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), revealed that Dr. Anu has been convicted.
Irukera wrote on X following her conviction:
“Dr. Anu Adepoju & her medical practice convicted in all 5 counts charged by FCCPC. The wheel of justice may grind slow, but we must see it through.
“What we need are enforced with audacity & will to prosecute competently & diligently. Good day for consumers of professional services.”
He continued:
“Today is a day of pride for me that I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju & her medical practice. Though I’ve left, the case has ended in a conviction strengthening the accountability framework for all in society, professionals of otherwise. This is how society should work & grow.”
SEE ALSO: Another Nigerian Woman, Vick, Becomes Victim Of Botched Plastic Surgery Carried Out In Lagos
Dr Anu will be sentenced on a later date.