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‘It Was An Open Chest Injury’ – Hospital Reveals Why Bolanle Raheem Was Referred

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Before Bolanle Raheem, the lawyer shot by a police officer, was confirmed dead at Grandville Hospital, she had been taken to two other places — Budo Specialist Hospital and Doren Specialist Hospital — both located along Lekki-Epe expressway in the Ajah area of Lagos state.

On Thursday, TheCable visited both hospitals to understand what transpired regarding the medical treatment of the deceased.

BACKGROUND

Raheem was, on Sunday, shot dead when she was returning home from a Christmas outing with her family. The incident has sparked widespread criticism, while Drambi Vandi, the officer at the centre of the shooting, has been suspended and is currently in detention.

Recounting what transpired after the shooting, Gbenga Raheem, the deceased’s husband, said Bolanle was initially taken to Budo Hospital, after which she was referred to Doren Hospital.

“We headed to Budo Hospital. On getting there, I brought her out. They said they could not handle it and that we should go to Doren hospital,” Gbenga had said.

“Then we went to Doren. They tried to put bandages and cotton wool on her chest. They asked what happened. I said the police shot her. They tried to put oxygen on her because she said she couldn’t breathe. They tried to put syringe on her hand too.

“They eventually said since it is a bullet thing, they can’t handle it; that I should take her to Grandville Hospital at VGC. On getting there, they declared that she was no more.”

‘SHE NEEDED URGENT SURGERY’

There have been speculations over whether the deceased was initially denied medical treatment — an action contrary to the provisions of the Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017. The law provides for immediate treatment of gunshot victims, with or without police clearance.

Speaking with TheCable, Adewoye Rotimi, medical director of Budo Specialist Hospital, said the lawyer was referred because of the nature of the injury.

Front view of Budo Hospital

“She was referred to another hospital. There is a serious difference between ‘rejected’ and ‘referred’. We don’t reject any patient here,” he said.

“When we saw the extent of the injury, we knew we couldn’t handle it. The case was an open chest injury by gunshot. The whole chest was scattered by the gunshot and it would require a cardiothoracic surgeon.

“It is an open chest injury, which we don’t have the capacity to handle. On that note, we told them to urgently take her to another facility.

“We knew that it was a cardiothoracic surgery issue. There was no point pretending that we could do something about it. If you saw the extent of the wound, only a cardiothoracic surgeon could do something about it. The heart and everything had been punctured. It was a close shot into the chest. The chest was scattered.”

The medical doctor added that the deceased was gasping for breath when she was brought into the hospital.

Meanwhile, when TheCable visited Doren Hospital, the reporter was directed to the administrative department.

Doren Hospital

At the admin department, a female personnel, who declined to mention her name, was asked why the lawyer was referred.

“The media cannot approach a hospital for a patient’s personal record. It is more or less a personal record that you are demanding,” the hospital official said.

DOES NIGERIA HAVE ENOUGH CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEONS?

In line with the concerns raised by Budo Specialist Hospital, Raheem may have stood a chance of survival if she underwent prompt cardiothoracic surgery.

Cardiothoracic surgeons specialise in operating on the heart, lungs, and other thoracic (chest) organs.

As recently as February 2022, Peter Adeoye, a professor of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) — in an interview with Tribune — had expressed concern over the ratio of surgeons to patients in Nigeria.

“A lot of things are going on in this country with surgery in general. In Kwara state, we have only two cardiothoracic surgeons. I used to be the only one until 2021. Between 2006 and 2008, I was the only thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon in Kwara and Kogi states,” he had said.

“In the whole of Nigeria, we are about 75 now for a population of 200 million. Out of this figure, only about 52 percent are actively practising, as many end up in institutions that do not have the instruments for them to do the work.”

As the investigation into the death of Raheem continues, it further calls into question the concerns raised by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over brain drain and the likelihood of Nigeria needing to “import doctors” in the future.

-CABLE

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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