A 12-year-old student of the Air Force Girls Military School, Jos, Phoebe Egiedenawe Jerrylaw, has died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), with the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights demanding an immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The coalition, in a statement signed by its Coordinator-General, Comrade Aghatise Raphael, said the girl’s family alleged that Phoebe was administered medication reportedly taken from another patient’s drug supply shortly before she suffered a severe reaction and died.
Phoebe, an indigene of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, was admitted to UBTH on August 7, 2026, after medical examination reportedly indicated malaria and an elevated white blood cell count.
According to the family’s account cited by the coalition, the 12-year-old was stable at the time of admission and was not considered to be suffering from an immediately life-threatening condition.
The coalition alleged that at about 10pm on August 20, a doctor who was not assigned to Phoebe’s treatment administered medication allegedly obtained from another patient’s medication supply without the knowledge or consent of her parents.
It further alleged that the doctor did not remain with the child to monitor her condition after the medication was administered.
The family reportedly said Phoebe subsequently developed a severe reaction and died on August 21.
The coalition said the circumstances surrounding the child’s final hours, including the medication allegedly administered, its dosage and source, the person who authorised its use, the medical records and the monitoring provided after administration, must be subjected to a thorough investigation.
It also said reports concerning bleeding from multiple parts of Phoebe’s body made an independent medical and forensic determination of the cause of death particularly urgent.
“This is not a matter that can be swept under the carpet,” the coalition declared, insisting that the death of a 12-year-old child demands clear answers and accountability.
The group stressed that it was not prejudging the outcome of any investigation but was demanding truth, transparency and justice for the deceased child and her family.
Among its demands are an immediate police investigation and the preservation and production of Phoebe’s complete medical records, including admission notes, prescriptions, drug administration records, nurses’ reports, laboratory results, doctors’ notes and monitoring charts.
It also demanded a full account of every medication administered to the deceased, including the name, dosage, time of administration, prescribing or authorising practitioner and source of the medication.
The coalition called for an independent post-mortem or forensic examination, where legally and medically appropriate, to establish the cause and manner of death.
It further urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to investigate any alleged professional misconduct or breach of medical ethics, while calling for a human-rights investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
The group also demanded full cooperation from UBTH and all relevant individuals and institutions with any lawful investigation.
It said that where an investigation establishes negligence, professional misconduct, unlawful conduct or any other actionable wrongdoing, those responsible should face appropriate consequences under Nigerian law.
The University of Benin Teaching Hospital is a federal tertiary healthcare institution in Benin City and identifies patient care, respect for people and quality healthcare among its core values. Its official website also provides a SERVICOM/complaints channel for patients and members of the public.
The coalition called on UBTH management, the Edo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and other competent authorities to act swiftly and transparently.
“The family deserves answers. The public deserves accountability. And Phoebe deserves justice,” the statement said.
The coalition ended its statement with a call for justice for Phoebe Egiedenawe Jerrylaw.
