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Pathologist Rules Out Poisoning As Cause Of Adeleke’s Death

The pathologist who examined the corpse of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Solaja Olufemi, … Continue reading Pathologist Rules Out Poisoning As Cause Of Adeleke’s Death


The pathologist who examined the corpse of the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Solaja Olufemi, has said that there were no traces of poison or heavy metal in his body when he died.

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.

Olufemi, 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 overdose 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 for tissues 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 caused 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.”

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

Olufemi 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 at the inquest 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 of the coroner on Tuesday.

Alabi explained that due to the psychological trauma experienced recently by Aderibigbe, he was not prepared to give evidence before the coroner.

He also made a request 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, Thursday.

The Divisional Police Officer, Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, Mr Ogunkanmi Gbemileke, also appeared before the coroner and said that he was given the empty ampules 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.