The family of late Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) engineer, Mr. Eto Sonam Obhuo, has renewed its call for justice, demanding compensation of $100 million from Shell and its allied entities over what it described as gross medical negligence that led to his death.
In a letter written on behalf of the family by their solicitors, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN & Co, and cited by journalists, the family alleged that Mr. Obhuo died as a result of horrific and avoidable lapses by medical personnel at the Shell Industrial Area Hospital, Rumuobiakani, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to the family, Mr. Obhuo was rushed to the hospital on June 16, 2011, where he was admitted and died the same day, barely 15 hours after coming under the care of the company’s medical team.
They contend that inquiries, medical reports and other documented evidence point to medical negligence rather than natural causes as the reason for his death.
The letter, dated September 19, 2025, alleged that investigations revealed glaring discrepancies in the deceased’s medical case notes and post-mortem records, suggesting an attempt to conceal likely criminal liability.
The family said these concerns prompted the intervention of law enforcement agencies, culminating in a police investigation report and an interim report by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Committee Investigation Panel.
The solicitors listed several alleged acts of negligence, including failure to obtain informed consent before administering medication, non-disclosure of critical information on drugs, dosages and associated risks, and the unauthorized insertion of airway adjuncts without documented consent.
Other allegations include poor patient monitoring, which allegedly led to aspiration of stomach contents, as well as failure to provide timely and adequate medical intervention despite signs of respiratory distress.
A pathology report, the family claimed, showed cyanosis of the oral mucous membranes and fingernail beds—indicative of hypoxemia—which they argue could have been prevented.
Mr. Obhuo was described as a rising star who graduated top of his class as the best graduating student of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology before joining Shell.
He died at the age of 32, leaving behind a wife, dependants and family members who relied on him for care and support.
The family said his death cut short a promising professional future and caused them severe emotional, psychological and financial hardship.
Despite repeated demand letters, the family said Shell, through its solicitors, acknowledged the matter in a letter dated September 6, 2021, expressing willingness to explore an amicable settlement.
However, they claimed that no meaningful steps have since been taken to resolve the issue.
In their latest demands, the family is seeking full disclosure of all medical records relating to Mr. Obhuo’s treatment, details of the medical policies in force at the time, and copies of any internal investigations conducted by the company.
They also demanded immediate computation and payment of all accrued death benefits to the deceased’s estate, in addition to the payment of $100 million as compensation for wrongful death, loss of dependency, pain, suffering and emotional distress.
The family has issued a 14-day pre-action notice, warning that failure by the company to respond positively could result in civil and criminal proceedings 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’s operations after the incident.
A copy was also delivered to the office of the Chief Executive Officer of Shell PLC in London via DHL on October 1, 2025.
