A nurse at the Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, Abiodun Thomas, who was recently sacked by the management of the school for exposing alleged corruption in the institution, tells DAUD OLATUNJI why she protested her sacking, among other issues
When did you join the Ogun State Civil Service?
I joined in March 2021.
What is your qualification?
I am a registered nurse with a registered nurse certificate (RN).
What was your job specification?
I was employed in the college clinic as a staff nurse.
What were the reasons they cited for your dismissal?
No reason was stated in the letter, but I believe it is because of the whistle-blowing.
Were you invited by a panel before your dismissal?
Yes, but it was more of oppression and bullying. I was told I didn’t have the right to inform my professional association or its affiliates and also that I was wrong to have reported the case of poisoning to the police. I told them I informed the management and also wrote a reminder to the management to report the case officially to the police, but they were insisting on not wanting police involvement. A criminal case such as an attempted murder cannot be handled internally; only civil cases can be handled as such.
I was asked who informed the CDWR (Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights) because it was said that the organization issued a press release concerning it. I told them I didn’t know but that they could reach out to the coordinators to confirm who told the CDWR. I was told to write a statement and also persuaded not to involve the police.
Is it true that you were poisoned a few weeks before your sacking?
I bought a soft drink and kept it in the refrigerator of the college’s clinic. I later took it from the refrigerator and drank part of it. After about 45 minutes, I started having abdominal pain accompanied by homeostatic imbalance. I sought help and the cooperative members around me together with a staff member assisted me with a motorcycle to the state hospital Ijebu-Ode. When I got to the hospital, I took the remaining drink because I was weak and feeling dizzy. A few minutes later, I felt the urge to vomit but didn’t have the strength to stand up. So, the doctor offered me a bowl which I vomited in.
Was anything seen or observed when you vomited?
He (the doctor) noticed a black substance in my vomitus and asked me what I ate. I told him I had a soft drink and handed over the container to him. It was while observing that the doctor discovered that the drink had been punctured by the side. So, they commenced treatment for poisoning.
How did you survive the poison?
My being alive today is by God’s grace. I spent a lot on my health. I was in bed for weeks. But I thank God for sparing my life.
Do you suspect anyone?
I suspect four persons. One of them had always vowed to deal with me for exposing her misdeeds and not cooperating with them. In 2021, she told me that they ran an abnormal system in the institution and that I should learn how to do abnormal things, but I told her I was not trained to do abnormal things. I was trained to practice evidence-based nursing in line with international best practices.
Is it true that you filed a petition?
Yes, I did.
What was the content of the petition?
It is about the high level of corruption in Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-ijebu. Specifically, it’s about how government funds have been misappropriated and diverted for personal use and also how NHIS (now National Health Insurance Authority) drugs are being hoarded and sold to chemists.
Also, other equipment being provided by the government is stolen and sold out. The sum of N7,500 is deducted from the salaries of each staff member for verification exercise but diverted for personal use.
These are strong allegations. Do you have any proof?
I work in the institution and I made proper findings. I have been doing undercover investigations independently for more than seven years. I believe Nigeria can be a good place for all to thrive if we play our roles well as good citizens.
What was the response of the police to your petition?
I had always worked with (the police) X-Squad in Alagbon and they discharged their duties well during the times we worked together. Someone told me to give Zone 2 Command a trial but they messed up.
Although the suspects made confessional statements, I think the former investigative police officer compromised and by the time I wrote to the former Assistant Inspector General of Police (now Deputy Inspector General of Police) to register my displeasure over the mismanagement of the case and how I was poisoned, he ordered that they should be invited, but they refused to show up till the DIG left. The following week, I was told that the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology had sent another letter, stating that the governor said the police should suspend the investigation.
Are you an activist?
Of course, yes!
What are your demands?
My first demand is to be reinstated and my outstanding salaries paid. Also, I have been denied promotion for almost a year now for refusing to join the bandwagon. I want my promotion implemented as stated in the scheme of work for nurses and my hazard allowance paid too. I have written to the management several times but nothing has been done to date. I also want compensation for the physical and psychological stress I was made to go through.
I find it difficult to understand why a commissioner will claim that the governor is aware and ordered that the investigation of such criminal acts should be suspended. I believe no governor should support those frustrating the efforts of the government.
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