An Abuja-based woman, Eunice Bright Ekwok, has alleged that one of her twin babies was stolen at birth by a medical practitioner, sparking public outrage and renewed calls for transparency in Nigeria’s maternity healthcare system.
In an emotional interview aired on Arise TV, Eunice narrated how a doctor at Divine Reign Hospital and Maternity in Abuja allegedly took one of her twin children during a cesarean section in 2022. Her story has triggered a wave of concern over unethical practices in private clinics and the urgent need for better patient protections during childbirth.
TJ News Nigeria learnt that the accused doctor, identified as Dr. Timothy Zeje, denied any wrongdoing. However, Eunice insists her experience was not only traumatic but has also been met with systemic resistance when she sought justice through official and legal channels.
Pregnancy Confirmed with Twins — But Only One Baby Returned
According to Eunice, antenatal scans at two separate hospitals confirmed she was carrying twins. However, after her delivery on June 10, 2022, at Divine Reign Hospital, she was handed only one baby and informed that the second twin had died.
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“They said the other baby was ‘scattered,’ and there was no body to show me. I kept asking, but no one would give me a clear answer,” she said.
When she demanded a death certificate or the remains of the second baby, none were provided. Even more troubling, Eunice alleged that the hospital later burned her medical file, claiming it had been destroyed accidentally — yet other patient files reportedly remained intact.
No Access Allowed During Labour
One of the key concerns raised by Eunice is that no family member was allowed to accompany her during delivery, a policy she now believes may have enabled the alleged baby theft.
“My husband and mother were outside. I was taken into the theatre alone. No one saw what happened inside,” she told Arise TV.
Her calls for transparency have drawn attention to the need for labouring women to be allowed the presence of a trusted relative or third party, particularly in private facilities.
Alleged Sightings and Refused DNA Test
Months after the delivery, Eunice claimed to have seen a baby who looked remarkably like her surviving twin in a nearby clinic. The child was reportedly with the wife of Dr. Zeje. She requested a DNA test to confirm her suspicions, but the process was allegedly stalled and later dismissed.
Her legal team demanded a court-ordered DNA test, but no results have been released publicly. Instead, she was reportedly arrested and charged with defamation and false reporting, a development critics see as a tactic to silence her.
Public Outcry and Advocacy
Eunice’s case has generated widespread public interest, especially among women’s rights groups, healthcare advocates, and legal professionals. The case also highlights a disturbing pattern of alleged baby thefts in some Nigerian hospitals, particularly where internal oversight is weak or non-existent.
Human rights advocates have since called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Federal Ministry of Health to investigate the clinic and implement nationwide protocols for maternal transparency.
Medical Transparency Under Scrutiny
Eunice’s ordeal underscores larger systemic issues in Nigeria’s maternity care:
- Restricted Access to Scan Results: Eunice was not allowed to retain copies of her antenatal scans, despite repeated requests.
- No Death Certificate Provided: The alleged dead twin was never shown to the family, and no burial or morgue documentation was issued.
- Burning of Medical Records: Only her file was reportedly destroyed — a suspicious development that weakens the hospital’s credibility.
- Lack of Witnesses During Surgery: Family exclusion during childbirth removes accountability and opens room for potential malpractice.
Healthcare professionals warn that denying patients their medical records, restricting labour support, or failing to document deaths with transparency contravenes basic medical ethics.
What Legal Experts Say
Legal practitioner Barr. Chioma Adegoke told TJ News Nigeria that the case warrants a thorough forensic investigation.
“If a DNA test is being obstructed, that alone should raise red flags. And if a medical facility is burning files related to a disputed birth, that is even more damning,” she said.
Adegoke called for urgent legislative reforms mandating the presence of an independent third party or family member during childbirth, particularly in high-risk or surgical deliveries.
Editor’s Commentary
Eunice Bright’s case has intensified public scrutiny over practices in some maternity centres. Her story has become a rallying point for advocates pushing for:
- Mandatory birth companions during labour
- Patient rights to retain medical records
- Independent auditing of private maternity clinics
- Speedy legal access to DNA testing in disputed cases
