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Doctor suspended over ‘indecent’ relationship with patient

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The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has suspended a medical practitioner, Dr Michael, for six months for malpractice and infamous conduct by enticing his patient a housewife, Ifeoma Orji.

The five-member Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal announced the sanction on Wednesday in Jos after the doctor’s trial.

The doctor pleaded not guilty.

The patient’s husband had petitioned that the doctor engaged in an “indecent relationship” with his wife.

The tribunal, chaired by Prof. Abba Waziri-Hassan, held that the doctor was found guilty on count one, when “between April 15 and October 25, 2014, or thereabout at ELROI Mission Hospital No. 22 Alhaji Baba Street, Jos Plateau State engaged in malpractice and enticed Orji during his medical practice”.

“By the said fact, Owoicho-Odeh conducted himself infamously in a professional respect, contrary to Rule 42.1 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition and punishable under section 16 (1) (a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP M8 LFN 2004 (as amended).

“On count two, he was found guilty when between April 15, 2014, to November 13, 2017, conducted himself infamously in a professional respect, when while in the full-time employment of University of Jos, engaged in private practice by owning and running a private medical practice known as ElROI Mission Hospital situated at No. 22 Alhaji Baba Street, Jos Plateau State.

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“This is contrary to Rule 49.2 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under Section 16 (1) (a) and (2) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP M8 LFN, 2004 as (amended).

“Consequently, this Tribunal hereby sentence the Respondent Doctor, Michael Owoicho-Odeh to 6 (six) months suspension on each of the two counts to run concurrently.”

According to reports, the tribunal verdict was a fall out of a case between the Chairman, Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel and Owoicho-Odeh following a complaint lodged by Orji’s husband, Chief Maduabuchi, who had alleged that Owoicho-Odeh abused his position as a doctor to his family by engaging in an “indecent and financial relationship” with his wife.

It was on this premise that the matter was investigated by the investigation panel, which established a prima facie case against the Respondent- Doctor (Owoicho-Odeh) and accordingly, forwarded it to the tribunal for adjudication.

The prosecution had told the tribunal that Owoicho-Odeh committed the offences and should be punished for such professional misconduct.

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The prosecution had relied on documents tendered in evidence by PW 1, Dr Enejo Abdu, in his evidence as follows: Affidavit of Maduabuchi Orji dated Aug. 11, 2016 (Exhibit 1), Affidavit of Dr Michael Owoicho-Odeh dated Oct. 18, 2016 (Exhibit 2), and the CTC of case Notes of ELROI Mission Hospital, Jos (Exhibit 3).

Others are the Further and Better Affidavit of Maduabuchi Orji dated Dec. 21 2016 (Exhibit 4), 2nd further and better Affidavit of Maduabuchi Orji dated March 26, 2018 (Exhibit 5), First Information Report (Exhibit 6) and court process from Upper Area Court 1, Plateau State (Exhibit 7).

The prosecution further argued that infamous conduct in medical ethics connotes conduct so “disreputable” and “morally reprehensible” as to bring the profession into disrepute if condoned.

But Owoicho-Odeh, in his counter-affidavit, denied ever knowing Mrs Orji and her children at Samantha and that he established his own medical practice under the name, ELROI Mission Hospital on April 15, 2014.

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According to him, his first contact with Orji was on Oct. 25, 2014 (six months after he had established his medical practice).

He claimed that Orji was brought to his hospital by one Chukwuma Enweluani in a state of shock, following severe diarrhoea and a bout of throw-ups and was treated and discharged the following day.

The respondent further told the tribunal that Orji came to the hospital for follow-up on October 27, 2014, and November 2, 2014, with a persistent cough.

He further said that she (Orji) later brought her husband (the complainant) to the hospital on November 17, 2014, and was treated for high blood pressure and diabetes and that after his treatment, he (complainant) requested treatment of his children, wards and staff periodically.

Owoicho-Odeh also claimed that the last time he treated Orji was on December 26, 2015, and thereafter “I never had any improper relationship with her and the relationship between us had always been a strict doctor/patient relationship.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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