The authorities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, have suspended doctors, nurses and security personnel on duty at the university’s medical centre over the death of a 100-level Law student, Miss Isabella Ajana.
The suspension, which will last three months in the first instance, was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, and released to journalists on Sunday.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi explained that the decision followed the submission of the report of the panel set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death on July 8.
She said, “Arising from the report of the panel, I hereby suspend the doctors, nurses and the security personnel on duty at the University’s Medical Centre on the day the student was rushed there, for three months in the first instance, during which all investigations would have been completed.”
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The Vice-Chancellor further directed the management of Elmada Hostel — a jointly owned but privately-managed facility located within the university premises where Isabella resided — to immediately dismiss the hostel supervisor on duty at the time of the incident.
“The University demands the management of Elmada Hostel, which is jointly owned, but privately managed, as a matter of urgency, to sack the Supervisor on duty who was in custody of the spare key and could not return it after repeated calls on her,” she added.
Recall that Isabella, a diabetic and resident of Elmada Hostel, reportedly died after she was denied urgent access to her insulin medication when she and her roommates lost their room key.
In a desperate attempt to retrieve the life-saving drug, they approached the hostel mistress, identified as “Madam Bright”, for the spare key. However, multiple student accounts alleged that she refused to release the key unless the three roommates paid ₦120,000 — ₦40,000 each, in line with a purported hostel policy.
Despite their explanations about the urgency of Isabella’s condition and inability to raise the money immediately, the pleas were allegedly ignored. Her condition deteriorated, and she was eventually rushed to the hospital where she was confirmed dead.
The incident, which sparked public outrage and condemnation, prompted the university authorities to constitute a committee chaired by Prof. Mike Oddih to investigate the matter and submit a report.
Arinze-Umobi stressed that the university will review its relationship with Elmada Hostel and demand international best practices in student accommodation facilities.
“UNIZIK will re-evaluate relationship with the Elmada hostel, demanding International best practices in students accommodation facilities.
“I wish to assure the University Community and general public that we are committed to upholding the highest standard of care and safety for our students in line with my vision, ‘feeling the pulse of the students, staff and finding solutions’.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and assure them that we will do everything possible to prevent such incidents in the future,” she said.
