Family of late engineer demands justice, $100m (about N150bn) from Shell, Renaissance over alleged medical negligence

The family of Late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo, who was at all times an engineer with Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) is seeking justice and compensation from the company and its allied entities for the death of their son and benefactor, occasioned by alleged medical negligence. In a letter written on their behalf by their solicitors (Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN & Co) and cited by our correspondent, the family is demanding for the sum of $100,000,000:00 (One Hundred Million US Dollars) as compensation for the death of Mr Eto Sonam Obhuo. Narrating the events leading to the unfortunate demise of the rising star of the family, it was alleged that sometimes on or about the 16th day of June 2011, the late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo, was rushed to Shell Industrial Area Hospital, Rumuobiakani, Port-Harcourt Rivers State, where he was admitted and tragically passed away on the same 16th day of June 2011, barely 15 hours under the Company’s care. His death, as revealed by inquiries, medical reports and other documented circumstances, was allegedly occasioned by gross horrific medical negligence on the part of the Company and its medical personnel, who were all said to have failed in their duty of care, to the deceased.

PARTICULARS OF NEGLIGENCE

In the letter dated September 19, 2025, it was alleged that from all records and extant preliminary findings availed on the matter, it has been revealed that the circumstances leading to the death of Late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo at the hands of the Company’s medical staff was NOT natural; further revelations have shown glaring discrepancies on the medical case notes and post-mortem records, pointing to a cover-up of likely criminal liability rather than transparency, leading to the intervention of law enforcement agencies for the determination of any culpability in the demise of Late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo. The outcome is aptly captured in the report of police investigation on the matter and the interim report of the Investigation Panel of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. The letter listed the particulars of negligence, such as failure to obtain informed consent before administering a regimen of medication on the deceased, non-disclosure of critical medical information regarding drugs, dosages, and risks thereto, thereby depriving the deceased and his family of the opportunity to make informed decision about the treatment, thus resulting in fatal consequence, unauthorized insertion of airways adjuncts without documented consent thereby exposing the deceased to complications, including aspiration, lack of monitoring the patient appropriately, which resulted in aspiration of stomach contents, a preventable complication that directly led to his death, lack of timely and adequate medical intervention, as the pathology report confirmed cyanosis of the oral mucous membranes and fingernail beds, indicative of hypoxemia and respiratory distress, prior to death, which would have been prevented with timely and adequate medical intervention, etc.

PROFILE OF THE DECEASED

It is instructive to note that before the deceased was employed by Shell, he graduated top of his class as the best graduating student at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and he had a very high prospect in life that was cut short at the young age of 32, depriving his wife her life companion and putting his family and loved ones in untold pain, suffering, trauma and emotional distress. The deceased was a professional with a great career ahead of him and given his pedigree as an indigene of the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria, he was qualified for elevation into higher responsibilities, including but not limited to career and political appointments. He was planning to start his family with his wife as they were planning to have their babies but for his untimely demise. The deceased had survivors and dependents, who looked up to him for care and support.

Despite repeated demand letters and the Company’s acknowledgment through its Solicitors’ letter dated 6th September 2021, wherein SPDC expressed openness to amicable settlement, no meaningful steps have been taken to redress this grave wrong. The by-product of this undeserved mishap and avoidable carelessness exhibited by your Company on the Deceased will continue to tell on the family. We state for a fact that there is no mathematical exactitude for the physical, emotional and psychological trauma that our Client has continued to suffer without ameliorating respite.

THE DEMANDS:

The company’s goodwill as pioneer of and role in the petroleum industry and economic development in Nigeria cannot be used as a vehicle of forging its international capital dynasty at the expense of glossing over a catastrophic human loss. Such stance is unconstitutional, unconscionable and a total negation of general fundamental right policy on dignity of human life. In light of the foregoing, and in the spirit of justice, fairness, and accountability, we hereby demand the following remedial actions:

1. Full and unconditional disclosure of all relevant medical records, documentation, and case notes relating to the treatment of Late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo, particularly all the nursing chats, temperature and oxygen saturation recording of the patient’s chat.

2. A comprehensive explanation of the Company’s medical policies and procedures that were in place at the material time, and why they failed to prevent such gross negligence.

3. Disclosure of any internal investigation or review conducted by the Company into the circumstances of the death, together with certified copies of such reports.

4. Immediate computation and payment of all accrued death benefits due to the Estate of Late Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo, through our office.

5. Payment of the sum of USD 100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million United States Dollars) as adequate compensation to the family for the wrongful death, loss of dependency, pain, suffering, and emotional distress occasioned by the negligence of the Company and its members of staff.

PRE-ACTION NOTICE

TAKE NOTICE that if within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of this letter by the Company, there is no positive response/effort aimed at ameliorating the plight of the family with a view of resolving the extant grievances permanently and other pending legal matters, appropriate legal proceedings will be taken against the Company, both civil and criminal, without further notice.

The letter was served on September 30, 2025 in the office of Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, which was said to have taken over Shell after the incident. The letter was also served on the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Shell PLC in London through DHL on October 1, 2025.