A Canada-based Nigerian medical doctor named, Efe Ovueni has been suspended from medical practice for 3 months for unprofessional conduct.
The medical doctor accused of hugging and kissing a fellow worker, admitted carrying out the act without her consent during a College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta tribunal hearing.
Ovueni had called the member of the medical office staff into his office on January 21, 2020 and proceeded to hug the woman 4 times and kissing her.
Following the incident, Ovueni sent several texts to the employee including messages of “Hope you are not mad with me?” and “I got too excited.”
The victim responded with “That’s OK, but it was going too far” which prompted an apology from the doctor followed by “Thank you for…your smile.”
Ovueni’s suspension was announced on Thursday February 4, 2022 by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) tribunal, following the conclusion of its hearing in December 2021.
The tribunal hearing decided, since the victim was a staff member and not a patient, the doctor’s actions do not meet the criteria for sexual misconduct under the Health Professions Act.
Ovueni will be permitted to continue practising after serving two weeks of his suspension as 2.5 months of his 3 months suspension are being held in abeyance for a period of 5 years. The doctor also received a fine of $3,000 and is responsible for the undisclosed costs of the hearing and investigation.
The tribunal said;
“He shall be suspended for a period of 3 months, with 2 weeks to be served on dates acceptable to the Complaints Director and completed within 6 months of the date the Hearing Tribunal issues its written decision and 2.5 months held in abeyance on the condition that no further boundary concerns come to the attention of the Complaints Director and are referred to an investigation for a period of 5 years after the date the Hearing Tribunal issues its written decision.
“If further boundary concerns come and are referred to an investigation within 5 years from the date the Hearing. Tribunal issues its written decision, the remaining 2.5-month suspension shall expire.”Tribunal issues its written decision”.
