A Kenyan High Court has ordered Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi to release the body of retired Nigerian Air Force officer, Air Vice Marshal Terry O. Okorodudu, who died on September 9, 2025, amid a dispute over a Sh9.8 million (N111 million) medical bill. The hospital had withheld the body pending payment, prompting a legal battle with the deceased’s family.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled that the body be released for burial but imposed conditions on Okorodudu’s son, Bidemi, requiring him to deposit his passport in court or pay Sh8 million to ensure he remains in Kenya until the bill dispute is resolved. The court acknowledged the hospital’s concern that Bidemi, a Nigerian citizen, might leave the country, complicating debt recovery.
The judge balanced the family’s right to bury Okorodudu with the hospital’s right to recover its dues, noting that the late officer, admitted on July 25, 2025, knew Aga Khan was a private facility with financial obligations. Bidemi argued that detaining the body was unlawful and caused the family significant distress, emphasizing his father’s distinguished military service and the planned military burial by Nigeria. He warned that continued detention risked diplomatic tensions between Kenya and Nigeria.
The family also challenged the bill’s accuracy and the standard of care provided, which they claimed led to complications. With the court’s ruling, the hospital must release Okorodudu’s remains, while the legal dispute over the bill continues.
