By Blessing Fali
At least 18 Nigerian medical professionals were referred to the United Kingdom’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, MPTS, between July 2025 and July 2026, with several sanctioned over offences and professional misconduct including rape, fraud, theft, drug related offences, reckless driving and unauthorised medical practice.
The MPTS is responsible for conducting hearings and making independent decisions on whether doctors are fit to practise in the UK. Its sanctions can include warnings, suspension and erasure from the medical register.
According to a review of tribunal records, 10 of the Nigerian doctors were suspended, while at least three were struck off the UK medical register. One received a warning, while other cases involved applications to return to the register.
Among those struck off was Aloaye Foy-Yamah, a Nigerian trained gynaecologist who had practised in England for more than 14 years. In May 2026, a tribunal found that he had raped a woman and concluded that he posed a risk to women if allowed to continue practising, leading to his removal from the medical register.
Another doctor, Olubunmi Adeagbo-Sheikh, was erased from the register following a criminal conviction for benefit fraud. Tribunal records showed that he fraudulently obtained about £11,000 in Universal Credit using a false tenancy agreement and address. The tribunal described the conduct as deliberate and persistent dishonesty and ruled that he could no longer remain registered.
Joseph Onwude, another Nigerian trained gynaecologist, was also struck off after continuing to practise despite losing his licence. He prescribed medication and carried out a hormone replacement therapy procedure while unauthorised to practise.
Other Nigerian doctors faced sanctions for different forms of misconduct. Sandra Ndirika was suspended over theft and the use of a cloned bank card, while Anthony Shonde received a nine month suspension after issuing more than 1,000 excessive prescriptions for potent opiates. Chikaodinaka Okolo was also suspended over drug related conduct and improper prescriptions.
Tijjani Shehu received a 12 month suspension after the tribunal found that he failed to properly assess a seriously ill patient before treatment. However, the tribunal did not find that his actions caused or contributed to the patient’s death.
Ifeanyi Ntomchukwu was suspended for two months over reckless driving and deliberate breach of the law. The tribunal found that his fitness to practise was impaired by his conduct and convictions.
The cases highlight the strict professional and ethical requirements imposed on doctors practising in the UK. Doctors must remain registered with the General Medical Council and comply with its professional standards, with serious breaches potentially resulting in restrictions, suspension or permanent removal from the register.
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