…Salako Says Ministry Received Several Complaints, Media Reports Against Officials
…Officers Found Culpable To Face Sanctions Under Civil Service Rule
Daud Olatunji
The Federal Government has ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations of illegal levies, unprofessional conduct and dereliction of duty involving some officials of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, who disclosed this on Friday, said his office had been inundated with complaints about the activities of some personnel at the tertiary health institution in recent months.
Salako also said the ministry had come across media reports detailing allegations against some officials of the centre, prompting the Federal Government to take a closer look at the issues.
The minister’s declaration has reopened scrutiny of longstanding complaints about the FMC, Abeokuta, particularly allegations concerning the treatment of patients, financial demands and the conduct of some personnel.
Speaking at the FMC during the Federal Government’s emergency medical intervention programme in Ogun State, Salako said the allegations would receive the attention of the ministry and that officials found culpable would be sanctioned.
He said the objective was to protect the integrity of the institution and restore public confidence in a hospital serving thousands of residents in Ogun and neighbouring states.
Salako stated, “Unfortunately, in the last few months, my office has been inundated with several complaints and has also come across some reports in the media that alleged unprofessional practices, dereliction of duty and illegal collection of levies against some officials of this centre.
“These complaints and reports are now going to receive our comprehensive attention and anybody found culpable will be sanctioned in accordance with the civil service rule in order to ensure that we sustain the confidence of the public in Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.”
The minister’s statement is the latest development in a controversy that has periodically dogged the hospital, with previous reports documenting complaints by patients, relatives and other stakeholders about alleged negligence, hostility by some workers and demands for payment before treatment.
In one widely reported case, a family accused the hospital of negligence following the death of a pregnant woman and her unborn twins in 2020. The family alleged that the woman was left unattended for prolonged periods despite the emergency nature of her condition.
The hospital management, however, disputed the account, saying the woman was attended to and subsequently discharged against medical advice before her condition deteriorated at another facility. The then Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, presented medical records which he said supported the hospital’s position.
Other allegations reported at the time included claims of hostility towards patients and relatives, insistence on payment before some services, an alleged N300m drugs revolving-fund controversy, alleged irregularities involving hospital equipment and the collection of COVID-19-related fees.
The hospital management denied or explained several of the allegations, including the claims concerning the drugs revolving fund and equipment, while maintaining that its policies were guided by the need to sustain services and meet operational obligations.
The controversies did not end with the earlier reports.
In 2021, another investigation reported allegations of age discrepancies, abuse of office and other financial and administrative issues involving the then Medical Director, Musa-Olomu. The reports generated responses from the hospital management and the affected officials.
More recently, the institution became embroiled in another round of allegations and counter-allegations following changes in its governing structure.
Reports in 2025 linked the new Board of Management under Dr Dayo Israel to disputes over the administration of the centre, including allegations concerning financial management and the running of FMCA Consult Limited.
Some of the allegations were contained in petitions by groups describing themselves as concerned staff, while the board chairman’s media office rejected allegations of misconduct and accused some of his critics of attempting to frustrate reforms at the institution.
In May 2025, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership also called for an investigation into allegations including age falsification and alleged mismanagement of public funds involving the then Chief Medical Director. Those allegations were presented as matters requiring investigation rather than established findings of guilt.
The latest intervention by the Federal Government, however, is different in one important respect: the allegations have now received the direct attention of the Minister of State for Health, who has promised a comprehensive review and possible sanctions.
Salako did not name the officials being accused or disclose the identities of the complainants.
He also did not pronounce the allegations established, stressing instead that the complaints and reports would be subjected to scrutiny and that sanctions would follow only where culpability was established.
The minister’s position effectively places the burden on the investigating authorities to establish what happened, determine whether any rules were breached and identify those responsible.
The development is expected to heighten scrutiny of the management and operations of the FMC, Abeokuta, particularly its dealings with patients and the conduct of officials who interact directly with members of the public.
Salako said the government would not allow allegations involving individual officials to overshadow the contributions of hardworking health workers at the institution.
He commended medical and non-medical personnel who had continued to discharge their responsibilities professionally despite the controversies surrounding the centre.
According to him, the government would continue to support health workers who uphold ethical standards while ensuring that those who violate public service regulations are held accountable.
The minister said public hospitals must remain institutions where patients could obtain care without being subjected to practices capable of eroding trust.
He stressed that accountability, professionalism and respect for patients were essential to rebuilding confidence in government-owned healthcare facilities.
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