MDCN Resumes Trial of Doctors as One Suspended on Gross Negligence Allegation 

By:  Prudence Ijah, Abuja – July 10, 2019

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on Monday in Abuja resumed the trail of 14 medical doctors charged for various misconduct offences.

In its first case, the Prof. Abba Waziri Hassan led MDCN Tribunal, convicted one Doctor, Godwin Maduakor for gross negligence. According to the Tribunal, Maduakor was guilty of the count charges brought against him and was therefore suspended .

The Chairman of the Tribunal, while read the judgment said Dr. Maduakor is suspended for six months for count one and another three months for count two. The convictions run concurrently, he said.

Maduakor is part of the nine medical doctors from Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba who are standing trial for alleged professional misconduct.

The rest among Doctors on trial from the FMC Asaba Delta state are,  Sunday Abiodun, Ogafe Ojenuwah, Oyefara Babatunde, Okoye Pascal Nnamdi, Anunnobi Chijioke, Ralu, Adigba Ese Onodjohwoyovwe, Ogwu Robinson Onyekachukwu, Okoye Chukwuka and Iyiola Akeem Adewale, as the charge against one of the nine accused was however withdrawn.

They are to defend themselves on charges of grouse conduct bothering on negligence in the management of a pregnant patient, Mrs. Rita Uche Ogbuego. They all pleaded not guilty when the case charge was read to them individually.

At the last sitting two other doctors were convicted with their practicing license suspended for the maximum penalty of six months.

The MDCN is the regulatory body of all medical and alternative medicine practitioners in the country, with mandate to discipline any erring practitioners whose actions or in-actions fall short of the medical professional ethics.

The MDCN Tribunal has equal jurisdictions with the regular High Court, hence it’s ruling can only be challenged at the Court of Appeal.