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120 Medical Practitioners Under Probe, 70 Facing Trial For Negligence
Over 120 cases of allegations of professional negligence against medical practitioners operating in Nigeria are currently being investigated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The cases, it was further learnt, were apart from the 70 other cases that had been concluded and sent to the council’s tribunal, Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, for prosecution.
The MDCN is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the practice of medicine, dentistry and alternative medicine in the most efficient manner that safeguards best healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
The council’s Registrar, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, confirmed the probe and the trial of the doctors at the weekend, amid increasing outcry about negligence on the part of some medical practitioners, leading to the deaths of their patients.
During the week, there was a public outcry over the death of a chef, Mrs Peju Ugboma, whose death was said to have been due to negligence by a medical practitioner at the Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
Peju was said to have died after undergoing a botched surgery for fibroid related ailment at the hospital.
The deceased was said to have suffered internal bleeding after the surgery which made her condition deteriorate and she was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where she was placed on a respirator.
According to the report, the deceased’s family accused the hospital of sedating her intravenously while also adding that the management of the hospital moved her to another hospital in Lekki, Evercare Hospital, for CT scan and dialysis but it was discovered that she did not have a pulse and emergency CPR was performed before she was pronounced dead.
When approached on the council’s investigations as far as medical practitioners were concerned, Sanusi said the council was doing all it could to make sure that practitioners who had petitions written against them were thoroughly investigated and those found guilty were disciplined appropriately.
In investigating the petitions against practitioners, he said the council usually moved around the country and ensured investigations were carried out close to the scenes of the incidents.
This, he explained, was necessary to ensure that the investigations were thorough and detailed.
He disclosed that the council’s tribunal would be meeting next month to decide on some of the pending cases.
Sanusi said, “We are currently investigating over 120 cases while 70 are already facing a tribunal.
“As you are aware, the tribunal is our judicial arm. The tribunal met two months ago and it is going to meet next month.
“Those who are found guilty will be disciplined appropriately.
“For investigations, we move round the country, we make sure that we take the investigations as close as possible to the scenes of the incidents so that we don’t miss out on any detail.”
In an interview, a Nigerian doctor based in Russia, Dr Ruth Keyomoah, frowned at negligence on the part of medical workers.
He argued that the ugly situation might continue until when those found wanting in that regard began to lose their licences.
“One of the things we need to realise is that until medical doctors in Nigeria start to lose their licences, we will continue to experience medical negligence,” Keyomoah added.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.