By Hadiza Abdulkadir
A UK court has sentenced Nigerian health worker Adewale Kudabo to six months in prison for kissing a vulnerable patient in his care, in what the judge described as a “serious abuse of trust.”
Kudabo, who was employed at a care facility in England, was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and non-consensual physical contact with a patient. The court heard that the victim was emotionally and mentally vulnerable, and unable to provide informed consent.
Presiding Judge Alex Menary said Kudabo’s actions represented “a gross violation of professional boundaries,” and stressed the duty of care owed by healthcare workers to those they serve.
Henry Fernnandez, the prosecutor, said Kudabo was allocated to bathe the patient who was in a lot of pain.
When finished bathing the patient, Kudabo reportedly kissed her on the lips
“The patient was dependent on your care and protection,” Judge Menary said during sentencing. “Instead, you exploited that vulnerability.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Kudabo has been removed from the health care register and is barred from working in the care sector in the future.