A Lagos-based architect Alfred Ogene is demanding more than ₦800 million in damages over alleged medical negligence by R-Jolad Hospital Nigeria Limited.
Mr Ogene filed the demand through his lawyers, Nojim Tairu and Co Legal Practitioners, in a memorandum of claim signed by Joseph Aborisade. He is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, loss of enjoyment of life, psychological trauma and a refund of medical expenses he claims arose from the hospital’s actions.
According to the claim, Ogene was admitted to R-Jolad Hospital in the early hours of November 15, 2025, for treatment of partial paralysis following a stroke that affected his right limbs. His lawyers said he had no prior history of urinary dysfunction before the admission.
Due to limited mobility, a urinary catheter was inserted to assist urination. Ogene alleged that complications developed within 24 hours, including abnormal urine leakage and severe groin pain after a catheter change carried out by a nurse.
He claimed that despite repeated complaints, hospital staff, including a nurse identified as Elizabeth, dismissed his concerns and told him the pain was normal. His condition allegedly worsened, leading to abdominal swelling, acute distress and a medical emergency.
The claim is based on an alleged breach of duty of care, which Ogene’s legal team said the hospital owed him as a patient. It alleged that the catheter was wrongly inserted and poorly managed, warning signs were ignored, medical intervention was delayed and emergency procedures were only carried out after serious injury had occurred.
The memorandum of claim stated that the alleged negligence caused extensive injury to Ogene’s bladder and urethra, leaving him dependent on a catheter and unable to resume normal personal, professional or ministerial activities.
Ogene, who has over 40 years’ experience as a consultant architect, said he has suffered permanent urinary impairment, psychological trauma, loss of marital intimacy, inability to earn income and inability to undergo physiotherapy needed for stroke recovery.
An independent consultant urologist, according to the claim, confirmed that the injuries were consistent with catheter-related trauma.
Among the reliefs sought are ₦500 million in general damages for alleged negligent treatment, ₦100 million for mental and psychological trauma, ₦200 million for loss of enjoyment of life, ₦10 million monthly from December 2025 to 2042 as loss of earnings, and a refund of hospital bills and legal costs.
Ogene also proposed alternative dispute resolution as a means of settling the matter, warning that failure to engage would lead to full litigation.
Reacting to an email from PUNCH, R Jolad Hospital, through its customer service officer, Ayomide Olayiwola, confirmed awareness of the complaint and said it had been escalated for internal investigation.
The hospital stated that it could not comment on specific allegations due to patient confidentiality but added that all complaints are subjected to clinical audits, internal reviews, and management oversight in line with its quality assurance and clinical governance standards.
