Former Nigerian Senator Ibrahim Musa Kontagora has tragically passed away in Abuja following a medical emergency. His family has come forward with disturbing claims, alleging that a required $30,000 hospital bill delayed life-saving surgery, ultimately contributing to his untimely death.
Senator Kontagora, who represented the Niger North Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, died at Nizamiye Hospital, a private medical facility in the nation’s capital. According to his relatives, the senator was in urgent need of surgery, but the hospital allegedly refused to begin treatment until the full amount was paid upfront.
Senator allegedly denied treatment over $30,000 hospital bill, passes away
The family revealed that they were only able to make an initial deposit of $15,000, which reportedly fell short of the hospital’s mandatory full-payment policy. Despite the obvious urgency of the senator’s condition, hospital staff are said to have withheld surgical intervention until the remaining funds were made available.
Loved ones desperately attempted to raise the balance, reaching out to political contacts, family friends, and well-wishers. Unfortunately, they claim the complete amount was only secured after a critical window had passed. By the time the funds were reportedly ready, it was already too late to save him.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Nizamiye Hospital acknowledged the facility’s full-payment policy but declined to take responsibility for the senator’s death, stating that all patients are made aware of the payment procedures ahead of treatment.
Following the news of his passing, several prominent figures have reacted with shock and grief. Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago was said to have contributed financially toward the outstanding bill during the emergency. Fellow lawmaker Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and other dignitaries have extended their condolences to the family.
The incident has triggered fresh debate about the accessibility and ethics of private healthcare in Nigeria, especially in urgent situations involving life-threatening conditions. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to question the morality of requiring full payment before offering emergency medical care, regardless of status.