University College Hospital cleared in lawmaker's family lawsuit

An Oyo State High Court has dismissed a N400 million lawsuit filed by the family of the late federal lawmaker, Temitope Olatoye, against the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The lawsuit was initiated by Olatoye’s wife and brothers following the unauthorized social media circulation of graphic photographs showing the lawmaker’s lifeless body. The claimants alleged that the hospital’s failure to prevent the distribution of these images constituted gross negligence and a breach of patient confidentiality.

Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi ruled that the objection was “misconceived” and struck out the case, stating that the claimants failed to prove their case and dismissing it for “lack of merit.” Defense counsel argued that the photographs were not captured by UCH staff nor taken within the hospital premises.

Temitope Olatoye, who represented the Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency from 2015 to 2019, was killed by gunmen on March 9, 2019, while returning from his village after voting in a governorship election.