Restructuring : Jega calls for devolution of federal power before 2019

Attahiru Jega, ex-chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has proposed a reform of the Nigerian federal system before 2019.

In a statement by Robert Idowu, the former INEC boss said the rejig is needed to “devolve some powers and responsibilities, and commensurate resources, from the federal to state governments”.

Jega also proposed a four-dimensional reform package to tackle the historical challenge of poor governance and human insecurity in the country.

He made the recommendation while delivering a keynote address on ‘Governance Reforms and Human Security in Nigeria’ at the 10th annual forum of laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and 2017 Award Winners’ investiture in Abuja.

Jega proposed that the structural reforms should be in the short, medium and long terms.

According to him, reforms are required to cover the four fundamental aspects of governance- the structure, the institutions, the agents/actors and the attitudes/behaviors.

He explained that the short term, which is before 2019, should witness devolution of responsibilities and resources from the federal to state governments.

In the medium term, spanning 2019 to 2024, he proposed “revised vertical and horizontal formulae for revenue allocation and substantial increase in the derivation principle, with some elements of resource control”.

And in the long term, he recommended a fundamental review of the federal arrangement that would result in “a compact, if not small federal government and a revolutionized revenue generation and allocation system”.

He said: “If only Nigeria could begin the governance reform processes with the urgency, as well as the serious commitment that it deserves, we can in a reasonably short time de-escalate tension in the polity and begin to strengthen the foundation of good democratic governance for human security.”

He further proposed institutional changes, which he said would involve a reform of the police in particular and the broader national security architecture in general, to “pay more attention to national, i.e. people/citizen/communities’ security, more than to regime or government functionaries’ security”.

Jega also advocated the acceleration of electoral reforms to enhance electoral integrity, adding that the ongoing review of the electoral act should be finalised not later than six months before the 2019 elections, to boost its democratic content and efficacy. - The Cable

Shocking !!! Housewife forces hot iron into niece’s private part

A woman has been accused of forcing a hot iron into the private part of her five-year old niece in Ekiti State.

The woman, Mrs. Esther Abgundu, had earlier smeared the genital of her niece, little Aondoaver Sewuesi, with pepper.

The little girl’s offence was that she ate out of her aunt’s daughter’s meal.

The incident which occurred at Ijelu-Ekiti, Oye local government area of Ekiti State, has sparked outrage in the sleepy community.

 The victim was still receiving treatment at the Community Health Centre in the area.

The incident occurred on November 26 when the victim (Sewuesi) was babysitting for her aunt.

 “The victim was babysitting the baby of the respondent (Mrs. Abgundu) and was said to have taken a spoonful of the food she was feeding her aunt’s daughter with,” an eyewitness told our correspondent.

Both the victim and the suspect are from Gwer West local government area of Benue State with the victim’s mother living in their village.

Angered by the alleged brutality, the Justice and Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI) of Ekiti Catholic Diocese has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and demanded justice for the victim.

JPDI in a petition made available to The Nation on Thursday by its Director, Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, said its officials visited the community and its traditional ruler, the Elejelu, Oba Adetoyinbo Ajayi who confirmed the incident.

The monarch also contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ilupeju-Ekiti Divisional Headquarters who sent some policemen to arrest the suspect a day after the incident was reported at the palace.

The JDPI criticized the alleged release of Mrs. Abgundu from police custody, saying it could jeopardize investigation of the matter. - The Nation

30-year-old Woman docked for trying to sell 2-month-old twins for N350,000

Katsina State Police command on Wednesday arrested one Salima Lawal for allegedly attempting to sell her two month twin baby girls.

The suspect, hails from Marabar-Kankara, Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Besen Gwana, disclosed this to journalists in Katsina.

The police boss said the woman had approached a person (name withheld) in Faskari Local Government Area of the state and negotiated to sell the twins to him at the cost of N350,000.

“After negotiations to buy the twin at the price, the person went to bring the money.

“Instead of him to bring the money to her, he reported the case to the police.

“The next thing she saw were policemen who arrested her,”Gwana said.

The commissioner, however, urged people to continue to assist the police with information that would assist in curbing criminal acts in the state.

The suspect told newsmen that she committed the act without the consent of the father of the twins.

The police authority said the woman would be charged to court.

Dogara guilty of fraud, jailed for 10 years

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday convicted and sentenced the Managing Director, Dogab Oil Limited, Abubakar Shuaib Dogara to ten years imprisonment for forgery and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Five Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira.

The convict was arraigned on 18 March, 2013 on an 11-count amended charge bordering on forgery and obtaining money by false pretence, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

The convict, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and the matter went into full trial.

Justice Agumoh found Dogara guilty on all the elevel- count amended charges and consequently convicted and sentenced him to ten years imprisonment on each of the charges without an option of fine.

Dogara had earlier paid Two Million Naira (N2, 000,000.00) to the victim.

The judge also ordered the restitution of the remaining balance of the money to the victim, within one year from the day of conviction.

The Judge, Justice U. N. Agomoh in his ruling, gave the convict no option of fine.

‘For a decade nobody wanted to listen to my music’ — Femi Kuti goes down memory lane

Femi Kuti, son of Afrobeat legend and an icon in his own rights, said it took a decade to win the ears of the people and achieve his musical objective.

Being the son of one of the greatest musicians of all time was extremely challenging and pregnant with expectations, Kuti said.

In an interview with Wazobia Max, Kuti spoke about starting out with his father’s band- Egypt 80- before leaving to kick off his own music career in an era when his father reigned supreme.

“I think it is very important to understand why I decided that. I started to listening to jazz, my father introduced me to jazz, I hated jazz in the beginning,” he said.

“I got to a junction and when I understood what the jazz players were doing, their improvisation, I knew I could be Charlie Parker,  Myles Davies or I could be Femi Kuti.

“The mathematics was the same I applied to my father. Playing in his band, he took over everywhere. I knew I could never be him. And being his son, the love I had and the appreciation, people always looked at it like a challenge.

“And I didn’t see that way. I didn’t see it that way. All I saw was the man I loved, adored and respected so much. So I didn’t see the competition. But everyone expected I wanted to be like him and I was constantly being told I couldn’t be like him but it wasn’t my aim.

“I wanted to find myself in the chaos surrounding me. I used the same mathematics- I can never be Fela Kuti but I can be Femi Kuti- and decided I’m not going to turn up for rehearsals anymore. My father was very angry.

“Everyone was scared for my fate but I knew that this journey would be tough. Even if it meant going through a brick wall, I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew I had to start then before it was too late.

“So I closed my eyes and mind and did it. For like a decade nobody wanted to listen to my music. And so I decided to make a name in France, Switzerland, and Germany.

“Then I broke into America before ‘Wonder Wonder’ became a hit in Nigeria and people wanted to listen to my music.

“So it took eight to ten years before people gave me a chance.” - Cable Nigeria

Man United star, Pogba Opens Up About His Sending Off Against Arsenal

When Manchester United talisman Paul Pogba was sent off during his team's 3-1 win against Arsenal last Saturday, it was a moment that could have turned the match on its head. It didn't, because: Arsenal. But it could have.

Soon after the game Pogba refused to answer any questions on his red card, which came from a studs up challenge on Spanish wingback Hector Bellerin.

But now the Frenchman, who is ruled out of the Manchester derby through suspension, has opened up about the incident.

"I didn't really speak after the game - I didn't have time - but I think I know Hector as well and I would never give him a tackle like this," Pogba said.

"Unfortunately, for me, I thought he would put his feet there and he was in a position that was a disadvantage for me so I did it.

"It looks very bad but the intention wasn't like that. They had the decision, the referee got the red card and that's football."

The midfielder has been catching flack recently for stating that he wishes Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Manchester City team would pick up some injuries.

The City boss and Kevin De Bruyne refused to add to the controversy, saying they wished Pogba was available for the upcoming derby.

Outclassed once again by their city rivals, it seems. - Esquire (UK)

Jungle Republic !!! Nigeria Police kills undergraduate over N200 bribe

A student of Delta State Polytechnic, Sofia Oghogho, has been allegedly shot dead by a policeman identified as Sergeant Abua, who is attached to the Igbuzo Police Division, in Delta State.

Also shot by Abua, at a checkpoint in the community, was a civil servant, Victor Emeagwai.

The victims were in a Toyota Corolla, driven by an estate agent, Jerry Akinlabi, when the incident happened.

Oghogho and Emeagwai were Akinlabi’s girlfriend and friend, respectively.

Punch newspaper reports that a team of five policemen, including Abua, had flagged down Ogogo at a checkpoint along Igbuzo Market.

One of the policemen, identified as Nwokolo, was said to have demanded money from Akinlabi and the driver told him that he did not have N200 to give him.

Nwokolo reportedly said he would take one of the N1,000 notes Jerry had on him.

As Akinlabi drove off from the checkpoint, Abua reportedly shot at the car and bullets pierced the back of the vehicle, hitting Oghogho, who sat at the back seat.

The bullet also grazed the back of Emeagwai, who was at the passenger’s seat.

Akinlabi told our correspondent that four cops, including the team leader, one ASP Akhabue, were detained by the police, while Abua evaded arrest.

He said, “On Sunday, November 17, 2017, I was driving to the Igbuzor Market and on getting to a checkpoint, I met the policemen. We knew one another some months ago when I had an issue concerning a property at the station. I sounded the horn to greet them, but they did not respond.

“One of them used his gun to hit the boot and I reversed. He said I wanted to beat the checkpoint. I told him that I assumed that they knew me very well and apologised. He demanded money. I wanted to give him N100 or N200, but it was N1,000 notes I had on me and I explained to him.

“He said, ‘Am I too small to collect N1,000?’ When I declined to give him N1,000, he asked me to pull over, which I did. As the argument over N1,000 got heated, I entered my car and drove off. What I heard next was three gunshots aimed at my car.

“A bullet pierced into the car, hit my girlfriend’s body, came out and hit my friend in the back.”

The 22-year-old indigene of Oyo State said he took the victims to a general hospital in Igbuzo, from where Oghogho was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba before she died.

He said he called a senior police officer at Asaba who notified the state Commissioner of Police of the incident. - Daily Post

OMG !!! Expectant mum, husband, kids burnt to death

An expectant mother, her husband and two children were yesterday burnt to death in their Lagos home.

The incident occurred at 13, Buraimoh Street, Bariga at the wee hours of the day.

Forty-one-year-old Kenneth Eze, his wife, Favour and their daughters Miracle and Marvellous were sleeping in their shop when the fire broke out.

Kenneth, who ran a drug outlet, resided in his aluminium shop with his family.

Besides, the wife reportedly went into force labour and delivered still birth which  the fire.

Two other shops, a tailoring centre and a provision store attached to the chemist’s store were also razed by the inferno.

Neighbours who were alarmed by their screaming said the metallic component of the burglary secured shop made it difficult to render timely assistance.

They were said to have died from burns and suffocation from the fire.

While some residents blamed the outbreak on electric surge, others claimed it was caused by a lit candle that was left unattended.

The Nation learnt Eze, an Imo state indigene, was set to spend the Christmas holiday at his newly built home in Ikorodu before the incident.

While a crowd of sympathisers gathered before the shops, hoodlums besieged the heap of ruins, scavenging useful materials.

However, the fire did not affect the main bungalow building situated in the same compound with the shops.

Eze’s former boss, who didn’t want her name, disclosed said he was an honest and diligent man, who gave his time to the service of God.

She said: “When we spoke, he told me he had issues with his Landlord. So he said he would move to his new house by the 27th of this month. The next thing was that I was called about his death. When I asked people, they said the electric sparks was the cause. Kenneth was a very good boy. He made me happy. He never lied and he never stole from me. He was passionate about God because I encouraged him to be born-again. In fact, he was already a pastor before I settled him. Even after he left my control, I still narrate his case to my children because of his good records. The person who made me stay in Lagos. When you call him, he would respond and you could take his word.”

The deceased’s relative said: “When the fire broke out, it displaced all of them in different parts of the shop. People who heard him crying for help could not assist. They couldn’t near him because of naked wire. They just watched the family die helplessly. It was just few days to settling in his home. “

A member of the World Harvest Church where Eze pastored, Ndukwu said: “My wife called me this morning around 11:30 asking if I learnt about the incident. I was shocked as she said the whole family died. We are only here to help gather any necessary remnants from the ruins. I honestly don’t know how I feel about the incident. According to people, he struggled to escape the fire but the electric surge held him back.”

The remains of the deceased have been taken to Imo State for burial.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe said the fire would have wreaked more havoc but for quick response from emergency workers.

He said investigations would be conducted into the cause of the outbreak. - The Nation

Southwest states united on constitution amendment

South West states will adopt a common position on the proposed amendment to the constitution, the governors said yesterday.

Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to ratify their common stance on all the issues billed for amendment.

The National Assembly last month transmitted the items it is proposing for amendments to the state houses of Assembly.

Two-thirds of the 36 Assemblies –which is 24  -must concur on any particular issue before it could be accepted.

The National Assembly will then transmit such items for President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent after which they become laws.

According to the programme, the Assemblies are expected to submit their records of votes on the items to the National Assembly in the first quarter of next year.

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues after the meeting, said the Yoruba is one with the same destiny, hence party politics would not be allowed to divide them on such an issue.

He said: “As you can see, all of us are one from Oduduwa. All of us, being brothers, are presenting the same position on matters that are of common interest of all of us and we are doing it together.

“If you are talking about specific issues, one of the issues that we tried to look at is the issue of constitution (amendment). There are many things that we have endorsed, but it is so clear to us that there is more on the issue of amendment of the constitution.

“And as expected, we know what will be our interest.

“So, we want to send a common position to our Houses of Assembly and other stakeholders who we believe can come along with us on the issues that we have agreed on, that we believe that are of our common interest.”

But Akeredolu did not disclose the position taken by the governors on the issues to be amended.’

The National Assembly Constitution Review Committee formulated 33 bills out of which 29 were passed. Four were rejected.

The four rejected critical proposals are: devolution of power to states, deletion of Land Use Act from the constitution, state creation and boundary adjustment and 35 per cent affirmative action for women.

Also rejected was the recommendation to alter Section 25 of the Constitution to guarantee a married woman’s right to choose either her indigeneship by birth or by marriage for the purposes of appointment or election.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will be willing to assent the Constitution Amendment Bill whenever it is transmitted to him by the legislature. - The Nation

I'm Still Entitled To $800m Compensation - Kanu

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has said that despite being granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is being prosecuted alongside others on charges of treasonable felony, he is still entitled to the $800m compensation for his alleged unlawful arrest and detention in 2015.

This is contained in his response to the motion filed by the Federal Government asking the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States sitting in Abuja to dismiss a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by the IPOB leader.

Kanu had filed the suit on March 3, 2016 demanding $800m as compensation from the Federal Government for his alleged unlawful arrest in 2015 and detention.

But the Federal Government, through its lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Shiru, filed its motion on November 13, stating that Kanu having been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 25, 2017, and allegedly jumped bail, the judgment of the ECOWAS Court on the suit would serve no purpose.

But Kanu, through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, objected to the Federal Government’s motion contending that granting bail to the IPOB leader was just a partial satisfaction of prayers sought in the suit.

He maintained that the ECOWAS Court had the power to grant his client the $800m compensation sought since the IPOB leader’s rights had been violated.

Ejiofor stated in his written address, “We submit therefore that the court has powers to order for payment of compensatory damages when found that the plaintiff’s right has been violated.” - PunchNG

Face of looter !!! Metuh's N400m Fraud Trial Stalled As Defense Fails To Produce Jonathan As Witness

The trial of Olisa Metuh, former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), resumed on Wednesday, December 6, after failed attempts by the embattled spokesperson to call former President Goodluck Jonathan as witness in the case of N400 million, which he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014 to run an advocacy campaign for Jonathan.

The offense breaches Section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.

The prosecution had closed its case after calling eight witnesses and tendered documents to establish Metuh’s complicity in the alleged offense.

Having lost a no-case submission, Metuh, in a bid to prove his innocence, sought to subpoena former President Jonathan as a witness, following which the judge on October 3, 2017 signed the subpoena summoning Jonathan to appear as a defense witness in the case.

Surprisingly, the subpoena order as at the time the court sitting today, had not yet been duly served on the former president, an action which the prosecution considered as a ploy by the defense to delay trial.

Consequently, Sylvanus Tahir, counsel to the EFCC, on Monday (December 4) urged the court to set aside the witness summons issued on Jonathan and order Metuh, who had earlier called eight defense witnesses, to call his other proposed witnesses.

According to him, “the issue of former president Goodluck Jonathan, should not be used as a ploy to tie down the arms of the court; the proceedings should not be turned into a chess game of hide and seek and the court is left guessing whether there is another witness to testify other than Jonathan”.

Tahir’s application was however, objected to by Metuh’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba, SAN, and counsel for Destra Investments Limited, Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, who maintained that they would only determine if Metuh would personally testify after Jonathan’s oral evidence in court.

Justice Okon Abang, while ruling on the application threatened to set aside the subpoena inviting former President Goodluck Jonathan to testify on behalf of Metuh, if it continued to constitute delay in the trial of the ex-spokesperson for the PDP.

He, however, adjourned to December 5, for the defense to present their other witnesses, if any.

Again, at the resumed hearing, trial was stalled. Etiaba told the court that the defense was unable to produce its witness in court, because of time frame given by the court.

“My client was given only 17 hours to produce further witnesses for his defence, and because of time, the defence is unable to make contact with remaining witnesses,” he said.

Justice Abang, however, frowned at the defense for misrepresenting the ruling of the court as regards granting an application by the defense to subpoena former president Jonathan.

The judge said: “The first defendant before today (December 4), had 31 days to make adequate arrangements to assemble his witnesses in court if he intends to present any other witness or witnesses in this matter. It is therefore not correct when learned senior counsel for the first defendant submitted that the court gave the first defendant only 17 hours to call his next witness. This submission is however misleading”.

The judge further adjourned to today for continuation of trial

At the resumed hearing, Adebayo Bodunrin, a staff of DAAR Communications Plc was presented to testify as the ninth defense witness, DW9.

Bodunrin, who admitted knowing Metuh stated that he had a relationship with DAAR Communications spanning two decades.

“I joined DAAR communication 21years ago as a journalist. I know Olisa Metuh in the cause of my career as a journalist. I have had interviews with him (Metuh) in his capacity as National Vice Chairman of PDP, and later as National Publicity Secretary of the party,” Bodunrin said.

He further told the court that he represented DAAR communications in seeking for commercials and jingles from Metuh's office.

He said: “I represented my company in seeking for commercials, announcements, jingles and promos from Metuh’s office. I remember vividly in 2014 towards the build-up to the 2015 general elections, Metuh invited me to his office where in a meeting with other media specialists asked whether they can handle the already prepared promos, jingles and scroll messages that will help reduce tension, promote peace and mobilize participants for effective participation in the election”.

Going further, Bodunrin told the court that meetings were held with some of Metuh's aides pertaining to airing of the materials and payment plans.

“Subsequently, I held a meeting with one Mr. Richard (one of the aides to Metuh) and we agreed on airing of the materials for promos and commercials”.

Asked if he properly previewed the materials he was given to work on, the DW9 told the court that he previewed the materials and he considered them airworthy.

He further explained that agreements were made as to how and when the materials will be aired including the payment plan.

“We agreed that the materials are going to be aired in stages and so will the payment. I insisted that we should be paid in physical cash because of the past experience of delayed payment,” Bodunrin added.

According to him, there are occasions the said Richard paid money into his account while onward payments were made into the company's account, on some occasion.

Thereafter, Justice Abang adjourned to January 22-25, 2018 for continuation of trial. - EFCC

Homeless man who gave stranded woman his last £15 will buy 'new home' and 'dream truck' after fundraising page raises nearly £300,000

A homeless man is now on his way to a "normal life" thanks to the generosity of members of the public after he forked out his last bit of money to help a stranded woman get home safely.

Johnny Bobbitt Jr bought Kate McClure £15 worth of petrol when her car ground to a halt along a motorway and since, the 27-year-old has made it her mission to help the veteran in return.

Kate was driving along the Interstate 95 (I-95) in the US when she was forced to pull over late at night.

She was going to attempt to walk to a petrol station in the dark before she met Johnny who told her to return to her vehicle and lock the doors while he walked off to buy a can of petrol.

Although the veteran asked for nothing in return, she launched a GoFundMe page with the intention of raising enough money to cover the first and last month's rent of an apartment - she has now raised nearly $400,000 (£300,000).

 Kate has now shared the next stage of the heartwarming story, announcing that the veteran is on his way to buy his own home and dream truck.

Updating her fundraising page, she said: "We've received a lot of comments and questions about what Johnny's plans are for this money and how it will be used.

"The first thing on the list is a NEW Home which Johnny will own!! He will never have to worry about a roof over his head again!! Second will be the dream truck he's always wanted... a 1999 ford ranger...

"There will also be two trusts set up in his name, one essentially giving him the ability to collect a small "salary" each year and another retirement trust which will be wisely invested by a financial planner which he will have access to in a time frame he feels comfortable with so when the time comes he can live his retirement dream of owning a piece of land and a cabin in the country."

She continued: "A bank account will be set up for him with funds for every day needs that will get him through until he finds a job. And lastly, he will be donating to a few organizations and people who over the last couple of years have helped him get through this rough patch in his life.

"This is a well thought out plan that Johnny his lawyer and financial advisor came up with in order to give Johnny the means to acclimate back into a 'normal' life and also to protect him and ensure he has a bright future."

"The next update you receive will be from Johnny himself.

"He finally got his new computer and he is dying to thank all you personally," she added.

Kate set up the fundraising page on November 10 after she repaid him for the petrol and regularly stopped off at the highway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to give him warm clothing.

She previously said Johnny was "very interested" in finding a job and that he deserved "one little break."

In less than a fortnight, more than $250,000 (£180,000) was raised for Johnny, a former ammunition technician with the Marines.

Kate previously posted footage of the moment he discovered members of the public were raising money for him .

In the clip, he can be heard saying: "Holy s***!" God, that's amazing" before beaming widely. - Mirror

Indian doctors fired after 'dead' baby wakes up at funeral

One hospital in India fired two physicians and promised an investigation after a baby who was declared dead woke up in a bag while the family was driving to his funeral.

Max Healthcare in New Delhi issued a statement saying the "unfortunate incident" occurred Thursday following a premature delivery of twins after a five-month pregnancy. The second child was stillborn; the first was declared dead a short time later.

The babies were placed in plastic bags and the family was driving to the crematorium when they saw movement. They opened the bag to find the live child.

The baby was placed on life support, the hospital said.

"We are shaken and concerned at this rare incident," the hospital said. "We are in constant touch with the parents and are providing all the needed support."

The case has sparked outrage across the country, police are involved, and the New Delhi health minister has threatened to cancel the hospital's license.

Delhi police said they were collecting hospital records for the mother and treatment records for the newborn babies. Video from the hospital also was being reviewed, police said.

The hospital, with more than 300 beds, is one of 14 in the Max Healthcare locations across India. It is dubbed a "super specialty hospital" on the company's website, boasting a wide array of medical disciplines.

Max Healthcare said the firings represent a "strict action" but should not be viewed as a finding of fault against the physicians, AP Mehta and Vishal Gupta. Rather, the terminations are a "reflection of our commitment to higher standards of care."

The Indian Medical Association weighed in on the case, issuing a warning for hospitals that a body's metabolism can be "suspended" in cases of severe hypothermia and may protect against oxygen deprivation for an extended period of time.

The association is conducting an inquiry along with hospital officials. Dr. KK Aggarwal, president of the association, attempted to take some heat off the fired physicians.

"There is definitely a mistake," he told Asian News International. "The difference between a mistake and negligence is deliberate action. I don't think any doctor will do it willfully. But let the inquiry committee find out."

Adding to the controversy, the child's father, identified by Delhi-TV as Ashish, said physicians told him Wednesday that his wife, Varsha, needed an operation for bleeding. Ashish said physicians demanded extra money to improve the chances of keeping the baby and mother alive.