EXCLUSIVE: FMC ABEOKUTA PLANS TRANSFER OF WORKER ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING STUDENT NURSES, RAISING COVER-UP CONCERNS

The management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, is reportedly considering the transfer of a male worker accused of sexually assaulting student nurses to the hospital’s Joga-Orile annex, a development that has raised concerns among individuals familiar with the matter.

The staff member, identified as Ajayi Adebowale Alaba, has been accused of inappropriate sexual conduct involving student nurses from the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences who were undergoing clinical training at FMC Abeokuta.

A source familiar with the development alleged that the proposed transfer to Joga-Orile Health Centre, an annex operated by FMC Abeokuta, could make it more difficult to properly investigate the allegations.

The source further alleged that the planned transfer could shield the staff member from scrutiny. However, the allegations have not been established by a court or an independent investigative panel.

The controversy follows separate complaints submitted by two student nurses over incidents they said occurred at the Male Medical Ward of FMC Abeokuta on September 23 and 24, 2026.

The complaints were formally documented in a report dated September 25, 2026, submitted by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the Ogun State College of Nursing, Abeokuta, to the management of FMC Abeokuta.

The report was addressed to the Medical Director through the Head of Clinical Services, Director of Nursing Services and Head of the Education Unit. Copies were also sent to the Provost and Director of the School of Nursing at the Ogun State College of Nursing.

According to the students’ union, the affected students personally reported the incidents and provided individual accounts of what they said occurred during their clinical posting.

One of the complaints was made by Okonkwo Goodness Chinecherem, who alleged that she was subjected to unwanted sexual contact while on night duty at the Male Medical Ward on September 24.

According to her account, she was asleep during her break when Ajayi, whom she identified as a male porter, allegedly approached her and touched her without her consent.

She further alleged that he attempted additional sexual contact involving her genital area, leaving her shocked, frightened and emotionally distressed.

The second complaint was submitted by another student, Aminu Olulabikunmi, over an incident she said occurred on September 23.

Aminu reportedly said she did not have access to a designated bed during her break and that Ajayi offered his bed to her so she could rest while he slept elsewhere in the ward.

She alleged that while she was asleep, the worker later returned and lay beside her, covered her with a cloth and made an inappropriate sexual advance.

According to her account, she immediately stopped the alleged conduct and left the bed.

The SUG said it escalated the complaints because of the seriousness of the allegations and the need to ensure that students undertaking clinical training have a safe environment.

The student body also called for the complaints to be properly investigated and for measures to be put in place to protect students from intimidation, retaliation or further inappropriate conduct.

Ajayi, when contacted about the allegations, did not give a direct confirmation or denial. Instead, he said he had been advised to seek medical attention and was trying to see a specialist concerning what he described as a health problem.

When asked directly whether the allegations were true, he struggled to provide a definitive response, saying he could not clearly explain what had happened.

Ajayi also confirmed that discussions concerning a possible transfer to Joga-Orile were ongoing. He said he had wanted to see a consultant at the facility but had been unable to do so because of industrial action.

He further confirmed that the specialist he was expected to see was a psychiatrist, although the medical nature of the referral was not independently established in the reports reviewed.

The proposed transfer has therefore become a major point of concern among individuals familiar with the complaints, particularly because of questions over whether moving the accused worker could affect the investigation.

The allegations remain unproven, and Ajayi is entitled to due process and an opportunity to respond fully to the claims against him.

At the same time, the complaints by the student nurses have raised broader questions about the safety of students during clinical postings, particularly during night duties and break periods.

The case also places attention on the responsibility of healthcare institutions to provide safe training environments for student nurses and to establish clear procedures for handling complaints involving staff members.

As of the time of reporting, FMC Abeokuta had not publicly explained whether the proposed transfer was connected to the allegations or provided a detailed response to the concerns raised by the students’ union.

Street News Reporters reports that the matter is now drawing attention to the need for a transparent investigation that protects the affected students while ensuring that the accused worker is given due process and that any findings are based on evidence.