How Onnoghen underwent surgical evacuation, by hospital report

Details of the health challenges of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen emerged yesterday from a report presented to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

A private hospital in Abuja, Ideal Dental Services, claimed that Justice Onnoghen underwent surgical evacuation of abscess (Incision and drainage) in tooth No. 34.

Justice Onnoghen has been discharged from the hospital but he is expected to “observe strict bed rest for 72 hours”.

The CJN is facing a six-count trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).for allegedly not declaring some of his assets.

Justice Onnoghen initially refused to appear before the tribunal. A bench warrant was issued by the Chairman of CCT Mr. Danladi Umar, for his arrest if he failed to show up.

Following Justice Onnoghen’s appearance, the CCT chairman revoked the bench warrant and adjourned the trial for Tuesday.

His lawyer, Mr. Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), on Tuesday, however, told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) yesterday that his client was down with High Blood Pressure (HBP).

The report was signed by the Medical Director/CEO, Dr. Francis Uche”

The report, exclusively obtained by THE NATION, said: “This is to certify that Mr. Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen presented to our clinic on the 8th of March 2019 on account of pain on the left gum for which he was examined and placed on antibiotics with analgesics.

“However, he represented here today as an emergency with severe pains from the left jaw, throbbing headache, dizziness and fever.

“Physical examination revealed an acutely ill-looking, middle-aged man with tenderness over the left jaw on palpation.

“Intraoral examination revealed a buccal abscess related to tooth No 34 which is a dental implant. “Patient’s presenting blood pressure was 210/121mmHg while radiological investigations revealed apical radiolucency of tooth No.34.

“A diagnosis of dento-alveolar abscess in a background of hypertensive emergency was made and an immediate surgical evacuation of abscess (incision and drainage) under local anesthesia was done.

“Patient was discharged home on parenteral antibiotics and placed on anti-hypertensive to be administered by his personal physician.

“He is also to observe strict bed rest with close monitoring of blood pressure and other vital signs for 72hours following which he is to come for post-operative folIow-up check.  Kindly accord him the necessary assistance.”