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…Salako says the Ministry has received several complaints and media reports against officials
…Officers found guilty of facing sanctions under the Civil Service Regulations
Daud Olatunji
The Federal Government has ordered a thorough investigation into allegations of illegal takings, unprofessional conduct and dereliction of duty involving some officials of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Assistant Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, who disclosed this on Friday, said his office has been inundated with complaints regarding the activities of some staff at the tertiary healthcare institution in recent months.
Salako also said the ministry had come across media reports detailing allegations against some officials at the center, prompting the federal government to take a closer look at the matter.
The minister’s statement reopened the examination of long-standing complaints against FMC, Abeokuta, particularly allegations regarding the treatment of patients, financial demands and the conduct of some staff.
Speaking at the FMC during the Federal Government’s Emergency Medical Response Program in Ogun State, Salako said the allegations would receive the ministry’s attention and officials found guilty would be sanctioned.
He said the objective was to protect the integrity of the institution and restore public confidence in a hospital that serves thousands of residents in Ogun and neighboring states.
Salako said: “Unfortunately, in recent months, my office has been inundated with numerous complaints and has also come across some reports in the media alleging unprofessional practices, dereliction of duty and illegal collection of levies against some officials of this centre.
“These complaints and reports will now receive our full attention and anyone found guilty will be sanctioned in accordance with civil service rules to ensure that we maintain public confidence in the 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 from patients, relatives and other stakeholders of alleged negligence, hostility from 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 urgent nature of her condition.
Hospital management, however, disputed the account, saying the woman was treated and later discharged against medical advice before her condition worsened 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 reports of hostility toward patients and relatives, insistence on prepayment for certain services, an alleged dispute over the $300 million drug revolving fund, alleged irregularities involving hospital equipment and the collection of COVID-19-related fees.
Hospital management denied or explained away many of the allegations, including those involving the revolving fund for drugs and equipment, while maintaining that its policies were driven by the need to sustain services and meet operational obligations.
The controversy did not end with the first reports.
In 2021, another investigation reported allegations of age discrepancies, abuse of office and other financial and administrative matters involving the then medical director, Musa-Olomu. The reports generated responses from the hospital management and officials concerned.
More recently, the institution has been embroiled in another round of allegations and counter-allegations following changes to its governance structure.
Reports from 2025 linked the new board of directors under the leadership of Dr. Dayo Israel to controversies over the center’s administration, including allegations regarding the financial management and operation of FMCA Consult Limited.
Some of the allegations were contained in petitions submitted by groups calling themselves concerned staff, while the prime minister’s press office rejected allegations of misconduct and accused some of his critics of trying to frustrate the institution’s reforms.
In May 2025, the Center 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. These allegations were presented as matters requiring investigation rather than findings of guilt.
The federal government’s latest intervention, however, stands out in one important way: the allegations have now received the direct attention of the Minister of Health, who has promised a full review and possible sanctions.
Salako did not name the accused officials or reveal the identities of the complainants.
Furthermore, he did not declare the accusations to be founded, underlining instead that the complaints and reports will be subjected to control and that sanctions will only come if guilt is proven.
The minister’s position effectively places the burden on the investigating authorities to establish what happened, determine whether any rules were violated and identify those responsible.
The development is expected to intensify scrutiny over 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 will not allow allegations involving individual officials to overshadow the contributions of health workers who work hard at the institution.
He praised the medical and non-medical staff who continued to carry out their responsibilities in a professional manner despite the controversies surrounding the centre.
According to him, the government will continue to support healthcare workers who comply with ethical standards, while ensuring that those who violate public service norms are held accountable.
The minister said public hospitals must remain institutions where patients can receive care without being subjected to practices that erode trust.
He stressed that responsibility, professionalism and respect for patients are essential to rebuilding trust in government-owned health facilities.
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