The Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights has demanded an independent investigation into the death of 12-year-old Phoebe Egiedenawe Jerrylaw at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), following allegations by her family over medication allegedly administered to the child shortly before her death.
The coalition, in a statement signed by its Coordinator-General, Comrade Aghatise Raphael, on Tuesday, said the circumstances surrounding Phoebe’s final hours must be properly investigated, with her medical records, drug administration history and other relevant evidence preserved.
Phoebe, a student of Air Force Girls Military School, Jos, and an indigene of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, reportedly died at UBTH on August 21, 2026, after being admitted on August 7 for medical treatment.
According to the coalition, the family said medical examination at admission indicated malaria and an elevated white blood cell count, adding that the child was stable at the time.
The group, however, said the family had raised questions over an incident on the night of August 20, alleging that a doctor who was not assigned to Phoebe’s treatment administered medication obtained from another patient’s medication without the knowledge or consent of her parents.
It further said the family alleged that the doctor did not remain to monitor the child after administering the medication and that Phoebe subsequently developed a severe reaction before she died the following day.
The coalition stressed that the allegations had not been independently established and that the identity of the medication, its dosage, the reason for its administration and the medical cause of death must be determined through proper investigation.
“This is not a matter that can be swept under the carpet,” the coalition said, adding that Phoebe’s parents deserved answers concerning the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s treatment and death.
The group demanded the immediate preservation and production of the child’s complete medical records, including admission notes, prescriptions, drug administration records, nurses’ reports, laboratory results, doctors’ notes and monitoring charts.
It also called for investigators to establish the name, dosage, time of administration and source of every medication allegedly given to Phoebe, as well as the practitioner who prescribed or authorised its use.
The coalition further demanded an independent post-mortem or forensic examination, where legally and medically appropriate, to establish the cause and manner of death.
It urged the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Government, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and other competent authorities to investigate the matter.
The coalition said the MDCN should examine any allegation of professional misconduct if evidence emerges against a registered medical practitioner, while the NHRC could investigate any possible human-rights concerns.
It also called on UBTH and every person or institution connected with the case to cooperate with lawful investigations and preserve evidence that could assist in determining what happened.
The group said it was not prejudging the outcome of the investigation but was seeking “truth, transparency, accountability and justice” for the deceased child and her family.
It added that anyone found responsible for negligence, professional misconduct or other unlawful conduct should be dealt with in accordance with Nigerian law.
No independent finding establishing medical negligence, professional misconduct or the precise cause of Phoebe’s death was identified in the material available for the report. The allegations remain subject to investigation and verification.