Workers’ Group Calls for Immediate Suspension , Prosecution of Ogun Hospital Doctor for Alleged Assault on Student Nurse
The Workers Rights Campaign (WRC) has called for the immediate suspension and prosecution of Dr. Nurudeen Adekunle, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Ogun State Hospital, Ijaye, in Abeokuta. Dr. Adekunle allegedly assaulted a final-year nursing student, Julius Emmanuel.
In addition to demanding justice for the victim, the WRC urged that Emmanuel be protected from any form of victimization in her studies or nursing career for standing up against this oppression. The group also called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Council, to support the nurses’ union and demand swift action from the state government. Failure to act, they warned, could lead to a statewide general strike as workers express their collective anger.
In a statement released on Thursday, the WRC condemned the alleged assault, which occurred on September 24 in the hospital’s theatre suite. According to reports, Dr. Adekunle allegedly slapped the student nurse during an altercation. Despite the seriousness of the incident, a state commissioner had praised the doctor, further highlighting what the WRC described as the poor treatment of workers nationwide.
The WRC emphasized its stance against all violations of workers’ rights by both government and private employers. They reiterated their support for the ongoing protests at the hospital, demanding that Dr. Adekunle be suspended and tried in court for his actions. They also called on the NLC to stand firm with the nurses and ensure that the state government takes immediate action, warning that “an injury to one is an injury to all.”
