Rape, Fraud, Drug Offences: Nigerian Doctors Face UK Disciplinary Action
At least 18 Nigerian doctors and other medical professionals have appeared before a UK tribunal over allegations of serious misconduct.
The cases involved offences ranging from rape and fraud to theft, drug-related misconduct and unauthorised medical practice.
Several of the practitioners were suspended, while others were removed from the UK medical register.
One of those struck off was Aloaye Foy-Yamah, a Nigerian-trained gynaecologist who had worked in England for more than 14 years.
A tribunal found, on the balance of probabilities, that Foy-Yamah had raped a woman and considered him a risk to women.
He was subsequently removed from the medical register and barred from continuing his medical practice in Britain.
Olubunmi Adeagbo-Sheikh was also struck off after being convicted of benefit fraud.
He had obtained £11,000 in Universal Credit through a false tenancy agreement and a fictitious address.
Although he repaid the money and completed community service, the tribunal found his conduct involved deliberate and repeated dishonesty.
Concerns were also raised about documents submitted during his defence, with part of the material believed to have received AI assistance.
Joseph Onwude, another Nigerian-trained gynaecologist, lost his registration after practising despite no longer being authorised to do so.
He prescribed medication and carried out an HRT implant procedure while prohibited from practising.
His conduct subsequently led to criminal conviction and professional disciplinary proceedings.
Other Nigerian professionals sanctioned included Sandra Ndirika, Anthony Shonde and Chikaodinaka Okolo.
Ndirika was suspended over theft and the use of a cloned bank card.
Shonde received a nine-month suspension after issuing more than 1,000 prescriptions for potent opioid medicines.
Okolo was suspended following findings involving drug-related conduct and inappropriate prescriptions.
Tijjani Shehu was handed a 12-month suspension after failing to properly assess a seriously ill patient who later died.
However, the tribunal did not establish that his conduct caused or contributed to the patient’s death.
The UK requires doctors to remain registered with the General Medical Council and meet strict fitness-to-practise standards.
The sanctions available to the tribunal range from warnings and suspensions to permanent removal from the medical register.
The cases demonstrate the professional consequences doctors may face when they breach criminal, ethical or patient-safety standards.
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