Dangote, Phyna Row Over Medical Care for Injured Sister

…Reality TV star insists on India Evacuation
…Lagoon Hospital Says Can Manage Case
…Company Accuses Her of $90m, N10b Demand

By John Paul

A fresh controversy erupted yesterday over the medical treatment of Ruth Otabor, the younger sister of reality TV star and former Big Brother Naija winner, Josephina Ijeoma Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, who was critically injured in an accident involving a Dangote truck in Auchi, Edo State, on August 13.

Phyna accused the Dangote Group of reneging on its promise to sponsor Ruth abroad for specialist treatment, warning that further delay could cost her sister’s life. Ruth, a fresh graduate, suffered multiple internal injuries and lost her left leg in the crash, with doctors warning earlier that her right leg could also be at risk without urgent intervention.

In a social media post, Phyna alleged that Dangote officials initially agreed to fly Ruth to India but have since stalled after moving her to Lagoon Hospital, Lagos, for stabilisation. “Her lungs, bladder, and reproductive organs are gone. She has not woken up for days. The doctor said she can be flown out even though it is risky. But Dangote Group has stopped responding to me. They are gambling with my sister’s life,” she said.

She claimed the truck that hit Ruth was being driven by an underage, unlicensed driver and questioned whether the company would act differently if the victim were related to its billionaire founder.

But in an exclusive response to KTH Daily, a top source close to Dangote Group dismissed her allegations, insisting the company had gone “over and above” insurance requirements to give Ruth the best available care.

“When the incident happened, she was rushed to Irrua General Hospital. It was at that point we took over her medical care. We moved her by land ambulance to Benin before airlifting her by air ambulance to Lagoon Hospital in Lagos. Eight consultants are on her case. She is still in a coma but stable, and Lagoon insists they can handle her treatment. If the hospital says she needs to be flown abroad, we’ll do that without hesitation,” the source said.

He further rejected claims of an underage driver, saying the truck driver’s license had only recently expired and that he had failed to disclose it to the company.

The source also alleged that Phyna, through her lawyer, had made fresh demands: “She asked that we fly Ruth to India, pay $90 million to the family if she dies, pay N10b for permanent disability, provide a handicap-friendly house and car, and place her on a ₦6 million monthly allowance for life. These requests have legal implications, so we have referred them to our legal team while continuing her care.”

The company maintained it was fully committed to Ruth’s recovery but stressed that medical experts at Lagoon Hospital had not recommended foreign evacuation.

As both sides stand firm, Ruth remains in intensive care at Lagoon Hospital, with her condition described as critical but stable.