Ebola: Rivers Diplomat Might Face Manslaughter Charges

Ebola: Rivers Diplomat Might Face Manslaughter Charges

The Nigerian diplomat who fled to Port Harcourt after testing positive to Ebola may face manslaughter charges.

Olu-Ibukun Koye, an official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), escaped from quarantine in Lagos and traveled to Rivers for treatment. As s result of his act the epidemic spread throughout the whole country as last week the state officials confirmed the death of the doctor Iyke Enemuo, who had treated the diplomat. While the doctor passed away, the ECOWAS official survived the deadly virus currently ravaging the West African region.

After the incident the number of suspected Ebola cases started increasing rapidly in the country.

Related: Ebola Fears: Immigrants From DR Congo, Senegal Arrested

Thisday reports with reference to its sources that the case was discussed at the Federal Executive Committee meeting held August 27, adding that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoki was directed to look into the Nigerian laws for the ways to punish Koye.

Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samson Parker had previously said the late doctor knew that Koye had contracted Ebola:

"To conceal his movement, Koye sneaked out of the isolation unit where he was being observed and took a flight to Port Harcourt and switched of his phone so that he cannot be reached or traced should he answer a call. On arrival in Port Harcourt, Koye checked into a local hotel called Mandate Hotel, around Rumuokoro in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the city... From what we have gathered so far, Dr. Enemuo, knowing full well that Koye was positive of the Ebola virus took some measure of precaution to protect himself while treating Koye.

Related: US To Test Ebola Vaccine In Nigeria

Parker also stated that upon hearing the news about his doctor's death, Koye collapsed and later confessed to having fled from Lagos and being treated by Enemuo.

The late doctor's sister also tried to escape from being quarantined as the health officials of the state ordered to isolated those, who had contacted Enemuo however was forced back by her relative. Meanwhile the doctor's wife reportedly tested positive for the virus, which was made known yesterday.

Reacting to the unfortunate development in Rivers, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) blamed the state governor Rotimi Amaechi for Ebola spread. According to the party statement, Amaechi and Parker bore personal respsonsibility over not being proactive in providing facilities that would have prevented the spread of the disease to Rivers.

Source: Legit.ng

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