The family of the late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo, an engineer with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), has called for justice and substantial compensation over his death, which they allege was caused by grave medical negligence while he was under the care of the company’s hospital.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a formal letter issued on their behalf by their solicitors, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN & Co, and obtained by our correspondent, the family demanded the payment of $100 million as compensation for what they described as the wrongful death of their son and benefactor. According to the account presented, Mr. Obhuo was taken to the Shell Industrial Area Hospital in Rumuobiakani, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on June 16, 2011, where he was admitted and died the same day after spending less than 15 hours in the hospital.
The family alleged that investigations, medical reports, and surrounding circumstances indicate that the death was not natural but resulted from gross and avoidable medical negligence by the company and its medical personnel. They claimed that discrepancies found in medical records and post-mortem reports point to an alleged cover-up, prompting the involvement of law enforcement agencies. Reference was also made to findings contained in a police investigation report and an interim report of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Committee’s investigation panel.
The letter, dated September 19, 2025, detailed allegations that the deceased was subjected to medical procedures without informed consent, was not properly informed about medications, dosages, and associated risks, and was exposed to preventable complications due to inadequate monitoring. It further alleged that unauthorized airway procedures, lack of timely medical intervention, and failure to address signs of respiratory distress contributed directly to his death.
Mr. Obhuo was described as a brilliant professional who graduated as the best student from Rivers State University of Science and Technology and had a promising career ahead of him before his life was cut short at the age of 32. The family stated that his death deprived his wife of her life partner and left dependents in emotional, psychological, and financial distress. They also noted that, as an indigene of the Niger Delta, he had the potential for higher professional and public responsibilities.
Despite repeated demands and a letter from SPDC’s solicitors dated September 6, 2021, indicating willingness to explore an amicable settlement, the family said no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the matter. They insisted that the ongoing suffering and trauma endured by the family remain unaddressed.
In their demands, the family called for full disclosure of all medical records related to the treatment of the deceased, an explanation of the medical policies in place at the time and how they failed, access to any internal investigation reports conducted by the company, immediate computation and payment of all death benefits due to the estate, and the payment of $100 million as compensation for loss of dependency, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
The family issued a pre-action notice, warning that failure to respond positively within 14 days of receipt of the letter would result in civil and criminal legal action against the company without further notice. The letter was reportedly served on September 30, 2025, at the office of the Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, said to have taken over Shell after the incident, and on the Chief Executive Officer of Shell PLC in London on October 1, 2025.
