Controversy Over Sudden Death Of Billionaire Okoko

By Charles Igbo

The death of billionaire businessman and politician, Keniebi Okoko, is raking controversy and speculations as to what actually was the cause of death.

When the news of his passing broke on Wednesday, the story was that he died of  complications during a cosmetic surgery – liposuction – in a Lagos hospital.

Linda Ikeji Blog, LIB, reported that Okoko, 42,  a former Governorship aspirant, under the Bayelsa PDP, was a victim of a power-outage which occurred during surgery, because the power back-up in the hospital refused to  come up. Meaning that he was still in the theatre when he passed.

If so, sadly then, Okoko was a victim of Nigeria’s epileptic public power supply, and the surprising carelessness of the hospital. The question being asked by not a few people is: Which good hospital undertakes a major surgery, relying on Nigeria’s epileptic public power supply?

But a death certificate signed by a doctor at the Amethyst Health Care and Diagnostic Centre Ltd where Okoko died stated that to the best of his knowledge and belief, the primary cause of his death was:

HYPOXIA. Hr listed the secondary cause as CARDIAC ARREST.

The doctor said he saw him last on the 14th of April, and that he was suffering from localized “fat in abdomen and breasts”

Shock has greeted Okoko’s  sudden passing and, it has hit both his family, friends, associates and Bayelsa state like a bolt of lightning.

Unconfirmed sources insist that his family cannot even imagine it as members were not aware he went in for a surgery. “Neither his wife, parents nor siblings knew he was going in for surgery”, insisted a source. Another said: “We were told he died in the recovery room”. If so, that puts a question mark on the actual place he died – theatre or recovery room?

Tributes to him, and condolences to both his family and Bayelsa state have been like claps of thunder.

Leading the pack, in a statement on Wednesday, where he condoled the family, the government and people of Bayelsa is  the immediate past Governor of the state, Seriake Henry Dickson. He described Okoko’s passing as painful, and sad, saying he left  indelible marks in the world of business and politics at a young age of 42. “Keniebi was somebody we all had a lot of hope in. I took him under my wings”

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce described him as a star. Former Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, acknowledged him as his friend. He said he got a call on Tuesday, rushed to the hospital, but met him lifeless. “What is important is that he lived an impactful life, and sure he has gone to be with the Lord”

The late Okoko was the son of Professor  Kimse Okoko, a former President of the Ijaw National Congress. He was the Chief Executive Officer of KDI Oil & Gas, and also a Pastor with the Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt. He died on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.