How Bayelsa oil magnate and politician, Keniebi Okoko died after botched surgery
It’s been over two months since billionaire businessman and politician, Keniebi Okoko died at a private hospital in Lagos, but the circumstances behind his death remain sketchy. The 42-year-old oil magnate and philanthropist went in for surgery in April 2020 and never made it out alive.
Until his death, Okoko was the founder and CEO of KDI Group, a company with subsidiaries in energy, oil & gas, and construction. He was also a pastor at Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt. He contested for the governorship seat of Bayelsa state in the previous election but lost out in the PDP primaries to Diri Duoye.
His death was attributed to a failed liposuction surgery, which sparked a mixed emotional response from both family, friends and members of the public. According to sources that Neusroom could not independently verify, his family members were unaware he went in for the surgery and were devastated by the incident.
Okoko had engaged the services of a popular hospital in Lekki, Lagos, Amethyst Healthcare and Diagnostic Centre to undergo a surgical procedure as the global lockdown prohibited him from doing so abroad. Dr. Benedict Olusola who consulted with him before the surgery on April 14 noted on his death certificate that the deceased was suffering from a localized fat in the abdomen and breasts.
Okoko allegedly opted to undergo a procedure to get rid of the excess fat at the private hospital. But halfway into the surgery, a power outage reportedly occurred and the backup generator in the hospital failed to start. This led to complications that were reported to have caused his death.
According to the death certificate signed by Dr. Olusola from the Amethyst Healthcare and Diagnostic Centre Lekki, hypoxia – a lack of adequate supply of oxygen to sustain bodily functions and cardiac arrest – was the cause of his death.
When the news of his death was announced, there was confusion as rumours of his resurrection circulated on social media. But the wealthy businessman was eventually confirmed dead by some Bayelsa heavyweights who sent out both tributes and condolences to his family. Many who knew him were thrown into grief.
“I am saddened by the news of the death of my friend and brother, Keniebi Okoko. The Ijaw Nation and indeed Nigeria has lost a star. My condolences to all the loved ones my friend, Keniebi, left behind. May his soul rest in peace.” the founder of Silverbird Group, Ben Murray Bruce shared.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri mourned the deceased, calling his passing a blow to Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation as well.
“We have lost a pillar of support and a great patriot, who believed in and was always ready to contribute his quota to the development of our state. He will be greatly missed,” he said.
As questions began mounting about the circumstances surrounding Okoko’s tragic death, Dr. Benedict Olusola who oversaw the botched surgery was accused of foul play.
According to a statement released by the Texas Medical Board in March 2019, the doctor with Licence No. J7118 was banned from performing surgeries in the U.S due to several cases of malpractice and for not being a licensed surgeon.
“On March 1, 2019, the Board entered a Final Order regarding Benedict O. Olusola, M.D., revoking his Texas medical license. The Board found Dr. Olusola violated his previous orders which included providing false information regarding his practice. Dr. Olusola was practicing in violation of the imposed restrictions on his practice,” the statement read.
Although the police had arrested Dr. Olusola following Okoko’s death in Lagos, he was eventually released. The deceased’s family has not yet taken up any legal charges against the doctor or the private hospital where he died.
