The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted bail of ₦1 million each to two doctors, Dr. Jude Okpani, a gynecologist, and Dr. Isaiah-Tunde Akinlade, an anesthesiologist, who are facing manslaughter charges over the death of Rebekah Tamunotorukubu-Sekidika.

The doctors were arraigned by the Rivers State Ministry of Justice on allegations of negligence and manslaughter, accused of causing Tamunotorukubu-Sekidika’s death on February 2, 2024, at a Port Harcourt clinic. The prosecution claims that failure to administer the correct dose of spinal anesthesia during a medical procedure led to a uterine rupture, resulting in her death.

The defendants pleaded not guilty. The trial judge, Justice Jumbo Stephens, granted bail under strict conditions, including two sureties—both officials of the Nigeria Medical Association, Rivers State Chapter—and the submission of identification documents and verified addresses.

The court adjourned the case to January 20 and 27, 2025, for a definite hearing. Tamunotorukubu-Sekidika, a 24-year-old first-class microbiology graduate from Benson Idahosa University, was preparing to travel to the UK for her Master’s degree when the incident occurred.