Misconduct: Medical, Dental Tribunal Suspends 12 Doctors, Bars 3

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has
suspended 12 doctors and barred three from medical practice in
Nigeria for professional misconduct.

After seven sessions held between 2019 and 2021 in which it
adjudicated over cases filed against 37 doctors for various forms
of professional misconduct, the tribunal found 20 doctors guilty of
the charges leveled against them.

Delivering the ruling of the panel, the Chairman of the
tribunal, Dr Abba Hassan, said that three of the doctors barred
from practicing medicine have had their names erased from the
medical register.

Hassan explained that the 12 doctors suspended from medical
practice were suspended for a period ranging between three and six
months.

“The COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria and the attendant disruptions
impeded the frequency of the sittings of the tribunal. Despite
this, the tribunal has held seven sessions within which it has
adjudicated over 37 cases.

“As provided under Section 16 (1) (2) of the Medical and Dental
Practitioners Act, Cap M8 LFN 2004 (as amended), the tribunal has
found Dr Yakubu Hassan working at Koji-Jimeta Clinic and Maternity,
Yola, guilty of professional misconduct.

“Dr Sunday Elusoji working at the University of Benin Teaching
Hospital and Dr Stephen Oludare of Alaiyemola-Philadelphia
Specialist Hospital, Lagos, are also found guilty of the
charges.

“The registrar has been directed to erase these three names from
the register of medical practitioners in Nigeria to wit. Elusoji
has, however, appealed against the decision of the panel.

“If these doctors want to be re-instated, they need to apply to
the tribunal. A letter will be sent to an institution where they
will be assigned to work under supervision for a period of six
months to one year,” he said.

Hassan stated that after the period of assignment, the
institution where the doctor has been assigned must recommend the
doctor for reinstatement with the assurance that they have improved
in their performance.

He observed that nine out of the 12 doctors suspended have since
served their suspension, adding that one appealed against the
decision of the tribunal while one was currently serving out his
suspension.

Hassan said that one of the doctors suspended died before the
day that the judgment on his case was to be enforced.

“Dr Adolphus Oraifo-Oriaifo, who worked at Memorial Hospital
Benin City, Edo state, passed on before the date of enforcement. He
was to serve a six months suspension; may his soul rest in
peace.

“Six of the doctors found guilty showed remorse over their
actions and promised to work diligently and not repeat their
actions and so the tribunal has admonished them and allowed them to
continue their practice.”

According to Hassan, 10 doctors who had various cases of
professional misconduct filed against them were discharged and
acquitted.

“Seven of the cases were struck out. Three were struck out
because the prosecution withdrew the charges; for two of the cases,
the registrar of the council advised that they be treated
administratively.

“The last two cases involving Dr Fabian Upuji and Dr Shirish
Tanksale, the defendants died before the date of arraignment at the
tribunal,” said the chairman.

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal holds
the same status as a high court of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.

Doctors found guilty by the tribunal and wish to contest the
judgment can only do so at the Court of Appeal.

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal has
suspended 12 doctors and barred three from medical practice in
Nigeria for professional misconduct.

After seven sessions held between 2019 and 2021 in which it
adjudicated over cases filed against 37 doctors for various forms
of professional misconduct, the tribunal found 20 doctors guilty of
the charges leveled against them.

Delivering the ruling of the panel, the Chairman of the
tribunal, Dr Abba Hassan, said that three of the doctors barred
from practicing medicine have had their names erased from the
medical register.

Hassan explained that the 12 doctors suspended from medical
practice were suspended for a period ranging between three and six
months.

“The COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria and the attendant disruptions
impeded the frequency of the sittings of the tribunal. Despite
this, the tribunal has held seven sessions within which it has
adjudicated over 37 cases.

“As provided under Section 16 (1) (2) of the Medical and Dental
Practitioners Act, Cap M8 LFN 2004 (as amended), the tribunal has
found Dr Yakubu Hassan working at Koji-Jimeta Clinic and Maternity,
Yola, guilty of professional misconduct.

“Dr Sunday Elusoji working at the University of Benin Teaching
Hospital and Dr Stephen Oludare of Alaiyemola-Philadelphia
Specialist Hospital, Lagos, are also found guilty of the
charges.

“The registrar has been directed to erase these three names from
the register of medical practitioners in Nigeria to wit. Elusoji
has, however, appealed against the decision of the panel.

“If these doctors want to be re-instated, they need to apply to
the tribunal. A letter will be sent to an institution where they
will be assigned to work under supervision for a period of six
months to one year,” he said.

Hassan stated that after the period of assignment, the
institution where the doctor has been assigned must recommend the
doctor for reinstatement with the assurance that they have improved
in their performance.

He observed that nine out of the 12 doctors suspended have since
served their suspension, adding that one appealed against the
decision of the tribunal while one was currently serving out his
suspension.

Hassan said that one of the doctors suspended died before the
day that the judgment on his case was to be enforced.

“Dr Adolphus Oraifo-Oriaifo, who worked at Memorial Hospital
Benin City, Edo state, passed on before the date of enforcement. He
was to serve a six months suspension; may his soul rest in
peace.

“Six of the doctors found guilty showed remorse over their
actions and promised to work diligently and not repeat their
actions and so the tribunal has admonished them and allowed them to
continue their practice.”

According to Hassan, 10 doctors who had various cases of
professional misconduct filed against them were discharged and
acquitted.

“Seven of the cases were struck out. Three were struck out
because the prosecution withdrew the charges; for two of the cases,
the registrar of the council advised that they be treated
administratively.

“The last two cases involving Dr Fabian Upuji and Dr Shirish
Tanksale, the defendants died before the date of arraignment at the
tribunal,” said the chairman.

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal holds
the same status as a high court of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.

Doctors found guilty by the tribunal and wish to contest the
judgment can only do so at the Court of Appeal.