The Chief Medical Director of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, has revealed that the hospital has set up a high-powered panel of inquiry to look into the death of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara.

Ayilara was reported to have died in the early hours of Thursday at the LASUTH where he underwent prostate cancer surgery.

His death has, however, generated controversies as some alleged the hospital of mismanagement.

Reacting in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, the LASUTH CMD insisted there was no indication of mismanagement or negligence on the part of the hospital.

He stated that the state Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, had directed the hospital to set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the controversies raised in the death of the CP.

He added, “He didn’t die of mismanagement. It is a very sad development but going to a tertiary hospital did no wrong, you need to be assured.

“We have been asked by our supervisor to set up a high-powered panel of inquiry. Our supervisors are the Ministry of Health and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi.

“We have a very good idea of why he died but we will release a guarded official statement after the panel submits its findings next week.”

In a related development, the Lagos State Government says it has constituted a medical panel to review the clinical circumstances leading to the death of CP Ayilara.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos state Commissioner for Health, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

“In the light of the circumstances surrounding his passing, happening some hours after an apparently uneventful surgery, the Ministry of Health, following a directive from Mr Governor, has constituted a medical panel to review the clinical circumstances leading to the death.

“This panel is headed by the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabanwo.

“It will submit a comprehensive report on the matter in seven days.

“We share the grief and understand the anxiety that this news may have caused.

“We assure the public that the Lagos state government is committed to ensuring a thorough investigation,” Abayomi said.

The commissioner noted that Ayilara’s death was a shock which brought profound sadness to all.

“Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the Government and the good people of Lagos State, extends his heartfelt condolences to Ayilara’s family, loved ones, the Police and the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State during this difficult time,” he said.

Abayomi noted that the late Ayilara was a distinguished officer whose dedication to duty and exemplary leadership had earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the communities he served with passion.

He added that his commitment to maintaining law and order, as well as his unwavering integrity, made him a distinguished officer.

“His death is a significant loss not only to his family and the Police but also to the entire nation,” he said. (Pieced together from reports by NAN and Saturday PUNCH)

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