Row over Alleged Removal of Woman’s Body Part at Ojukwu Teaching Hospital Mortuary

By Our Correspondent

A controversy has erupted over allegations that the corpse of a deceased woman, Victoria Ogharibe, was tampered with at the mortuary of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.

The uproar followed the circulation of a viral video in which a man accused mortuary staff of removing the deceased’s thumb and index finger.

The footage has generated public concern and prompted calls for an official investigation.

In a press statement dated June 30, 2025, and signed by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Agbai Henrietta N. (ANIPR), COOUTH described the claims in the video as “a deliberate attempt to smear the institution’s reputation.”

“The video publication contains untrue statements and misrepresentation of facts on what transpired with the corpse of late Victoria Ogharibe and the hospital mortician,” the statement read.

According to the hospital, Ms. Ogharibe was a victim of a road traffic accident and was initially rejected by a private facility before being brought to COOUTH in an unconscious state.

She reportedly sustained multiple fractures and severe injuries.

“Our emergency staff tried all they could to resuscitate her, but she passed away barely two hours after arrival.

“The fracture shown in the video involving the thumb and index finger was due to injuries from the accident,” the statement added.

The hospital further alleged that the individual behind the video withheld information about the accident and later sought a financial settlement.

“The maker of the video made heinous allegations but asked COOUTH management to settle with the family. Does it mean that settlement with the family will exonerate all the allegations he made against our hospital?” the statement queried.

The hospital confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and stated its readiness to pursue legal action.

“We will go to court to clear our name. We cannot allow a few individuals who use social media to chase clout to tarnish the image we have laboured to build.”

Meanwhile, social media users have continued to weigh in on the controversy.

One Facebook user, Luckycent Obidike, wrote:“Why is it that if someone undergoes surgery in Amaku, their laboratory staff refuse to give back the amputated part to the patient? Other hospitals I’ve been to will give you the body part to go and bury, but Amaku never does. Why is it so?”

Another user, Phina Nkymore, raised questions over the family’s awareness of the injuries:“So does that mean that no member of the family was aware that the deceased’s hand was removed at first? Or were they never aware of the accident?”

As the situation unfolds, calls are mounting for transparency and a thorough investigation to ascertain the true circumstances surrounding the allegations.