LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA) – A Lagos-based architect says a routine hospital admission after a stroke turned into a life-altering ordeal that left him with permanent urinary damage, prompting a ₦830m medical negligence claim against a private healthcare facility.
Alfred Ogene, a Lagos resident and consultant architect, has formally accused R-Jolad Hospital Nigeria Limited of gross medical negligence, alleging that errors in catheter management during his admission caused severe physical injury and lasting psychological trauma.
In a memorandum sent through his lawyers, Nojim Tairu & Co., and signed by Joseph Aborisade, Ogene stated that he was admitted in the early hours of November 15, 2025, for treatment related to partial paralysis following a stroke. According to the claim, a urinary catheter was inserted to aid urination, but complications soon emerged.
The memorandum detailed that by the early hours of November 16, Ogene noticed abnormal urine flow, with urine spilling over his body rather than draining properly into the catheter bag. He reportedly alerted a doctor on duty, after which a nurse, identified as Nurse Oseni, removed the catheter and inserted another.
“About two hours after the new catheter was inserted, our client started feeling pains in his groin area and immediately called the attention of the nurse in attendance, Nurse Elizabeth, to his condition. The nurse came to our client and checked the catheter, but stated that it was normal, despite our client’s complaint of severe pains,” the memorandum stated.
According to the claim, Ogene’s repeated complaints were allegedly dismissed as his condition deteriorated. His abdomen reportedly became swollen and hardened, a development his lawyers attributed to prolonged urine retention caused by improper catheter insertion.
When two doctors eventually intervened, the situation had worsened significantly. The solicitors alleged that the catheter was forcefully removed, leading to bleeding and further trauma.
“The doctors crudely pulled out the catheter from our client’s urethra, which consequently gave way to blood spilling over our client’s body and the bed. The medical team… unsuccessfully struggled to manage the situation for about 35 minutes, after which they eventually resorted to piercing our client’s lower abdomen to drain urine directly out of his bladder,” the memorandum read.
Ogene’s legal team alleged that the nurse involved acted negligently and that the hospital failed to provide timely specialist intervention. They said the incident left their client unable to carry out daily activities, continue physiotherapy for his stroke, or perform his professional and pastoral duties.
The claim seeks ₦500m in damages for negligent treatment, ₦100m for emotional and psychological trauma, and ₦200m for loss of enjoyment and amenities of life. Ogene is also demanding ₦10m monthly as loss of earnings from December 2025 until 2042, citing his career as a consultant architect.
Additional claims include ₦4.4m as a refund for hospital bills already paid, ₦20m to cover legal costs, and reliefs against the hospital’s Medical Director and Proprietor, Dr Rabiu Funsho. The lawyers also proposed a settlement meeting through Alternative Dispute Resolution, warning that failure to engage could lead to full litigation.
Responding to an enquiry, the hospital said the allegations had been escalated for investigation. A statement by itsCustomer Service Officer, Ayomide Olayiwola, said the facility was constrained by patient confidentiality laws from commenting on specific medical details.
“The hospital treats all complaints and allegations relating to patient care with the utmost seriousness. All petitions and complaints received are subjected to thorough internal review processes, including clinical audits, professional reviews, and management oversight,” the statement said.
The hospital added that the matter was currently under review and reiterated its commitment to patient safety, professional ethics, and continuous quality improvement, while declining to disclose further details due to legal and ethical obligations.
