A family court in Calabar has ordered the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) to administer an urgent blood transfusion to Ruth Oham Samuel, a two year old girl in intensive care, despite her parents’ refusal on religious grounds.
The court, presided over by Deputy Chief Registrar V.S.S. Ebaye, granted the emergency application filed on May 8, 2025, by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (BRCI). The ruling compels both the hospital and the girl’s father, Mr. Oham Samuel Oke, to carry out all necessary medical interventions to preserve Ruth’s life.
The enrolled order, signed by Registrar Kate Michael Enoh, states: “It is hereby ordered as follows: That the 1st respondent, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and Mr. Oham Samuel Oke are hereby compelled/directed/mandated/authorised to administer a blood transfusion and/or such medical intervention as may be reasonably required to preserve the life and well being of Ruth Oham Samuel (F), 2 years, 9 months, currently in their care. That an order is hereby made dispensing with the consent of the parent of the said Ruth Oham Samuel in light of the urgent medical necessity. That the parents of Ruth Oham Samuel are hereby compelled within their means to bear the financial implications of the treatment of their child, Ruth Oham Samuel.”
The court’s decision followed the father’s staunch opposition to transfusion, citing their membership of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religious group known for rejecting blood transfusion based on biblical interpretations. An eyewitness, James Ibor, revealed: “They are getting physical and trying to take the child away from the hospital against medical advice.”
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BRCI secured the court order after doctors warned Ruth would die within 72 hours without a transfusion. Human rights group Humanist Enabling Love Project (HELP) applauded the legal intervention. In a statement by its founder, Dr. Leo Igwe, the group warned medical workers to guard against parents who jeopardize children’s health over religious doctrines. “HELP commends BRCI for taking this life saving measure. It urges medical officers to be vigilant and ensure that parents and guardians do not endanger or undermine the health and treatment of children using their mistaken and misguided faith positions.”
The group criticized the belief against transfusion as human made, not divine, stating: “Nigeria must pay close attention to this development, as there are over 400,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country, and efforts must be made to restrain parents who are Jehovah’s Witnesses from harming their children and relatives using their misguided faith notions.”#Jehovah’s Witness#Court
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