A Lagos-based architect, Alfred Ogene, has dragged R-Jolad Hospital Nigeria Limited to court over alleged medical negligence that he claims left him with permanent urinary complications.
Ogene, through his lawyers, Nojim Tairu & Co., said the alleged malpractice caused severe injuries, psychological distress and long-term impairment.
The claim was signed by his counsel, Joseph Aborisade.
According to the petition, Ogene was admitted to the facility on November 15, 2025, after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralysed.
The legal team said complications began when a urinary catheter was inserted to aid his bladder function.
The memorandum stated that by the next day, Ogene observed that his urine was partly draining into the catheter bag while the rest flowed onto his body.
A nurse identified as Oseni allegedly removed the initial catheter and inserted a replacement.
The architects’ lawyers claimed that severe pain followed almost immediately, but Ogene’s complaints were dismissed by the nurse on duty, identified as Elizabeth.
The document reads in part: “About two hours after the second catheter was inserted, our client developed sharp pains in the groin area. Nurse Elizabeth assessed the catheter and insisted everything was normal despite the severity of the pain.”
They alleged that the situation deteriorated because the complaints were ignored, causing abdominal swelling and urine retention.
Two doctors were later said to have attended to the patient after his abdomen had become “hard and distended”.
“Our client’s condition was compounded by the wrong insertion of the catheter.
The doctors forcefully pulled the catheter out, resulting in blood spilling on the patient and bed.
After struggling to stabilise him for more than 30 minutes, they pierced his lower abdomen to drain the urine directly,” the memorandum alleged.
The solicitors accused the hospital of failing to provide competent nursing care and of delaying specialist intervention.
They added that Ogene has since been unable to carry out routine tasks, undertake physiotherapy or continue his pastoral and architectural work.
The claimant is asking for N500m as compensation for alleged negligent treatment, N100m for trauma, and N200m for loss of enjoyment of life.
He is also demanding N10m monthly from December 2025 till 2042 as projected loss of earnings.
Additional claims include a refund of N4.4m hospital expenses and N20m as cost of action against the hospital, its medical director and proprietor, Dr Rabiu Funsho.
The lawyers proposed an out-of-court settlement via Alternative Dispute Resolution but warned that the case would be filed formally if the hospital fails to engage.
Responding via email to Saturday PUNCH, the hospital said the matter had been escalated for internal investigation.
Ayomide Olayiwola, who signed on behalf of the hospital as Customer Service Officer, said the facility remains committed to patient safety but is prevented by law from discussing clinical details publicly.
“The hospital treats all complaints with utmost seriousness. Patient-related information is protected by confidentiality laws.
PUNCH
