Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Elegant Nurses Forum has raised a troubling alarm over what it describes as a disturbing pattern of intimidation, victimisation and physical assault against a nurse attached to the High Court Judiciary Clinic in Ilaro, Ogun State. The organisation alleged that the nurse was verbally abused and physically assaulted by the Principal Registrar of the Judiciary Clinic, Mr Omololu Davies, after she declined an instruction to sweep the clinic, arguing that the task was outside her professional nursing duties. The forum, which issued a statement on August 14, 2026, signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, condemned the incident as a flagrant violation of the nurse's dignity and a betrayal of the principles of justice and rule of law expected of the judiciary.
According to the forum, the incident began when Davies allegedly instructed the Registered Nurse/Midwife posted to the Judiciary Clinic to sweep the facility. The nurse reportedly declined politely, explaining that sweeping was not part of her professional responsibilities. Instead of resolving the matter through dialogue and established administrative procedures, the Principal Registrar allegedly verbally assaulted and insulted the nurse. The matter reportedly came to the attention of nursing leaders at the State Hospital, Ilaro, from where the nurse had been posted to the Judiciary Clinic. A delegation of nursing leaders was subsequently sent to intervene, but the forum alleged that they were also insulted and treated with disrespect by the Principal Registrar before leaving the premises.
The situation allegedly escalated when Davies asked the nurse to leave the clinic, saying he wanted to lock the facility because she had refused to sweep. The group further alleged that he pushed the nurse aside, called her derogatory names and subsequently locked the clinic. The ENF stressed that nurses are professionals and should be treated with dignity and respect. "Nursing involves clinical care, health assessment, medication administration, health education, patient advocacy, infection prevention and control, documentation, monitoring and other professional responsibilities," the forum said. It acknowledged that nurses could participate in maintaining a safe and hygienic clinical environment but argued that this should not be confused with assigning nurses the routine duties of cleaners. "The nurse can only supervise the cleaning carried out by cleaners," the statement added.
Beyond the assault, the forum raised serious concerns over the subsequent transfer of the affected nurse from Ilaro to Ayetoro, questioning whether the move was a legitimate administrative decision or a punitive measure connected to her complaint. The group said it had confirmed that the affected nurse had been transferred, with the transfer letter forwarded to the State Hospital, Ilaro. "From the information available to us, there had allegedly been pressure for the nurse to be suspended," the forum said, adding that after public attention and media reports, the alleged suspension was reportedly not pursued and the nurse was subsequently transferred farther away. "Administrative transfer must never become a disguised instrument of victimisation," the group said.
The ENF said the matter raised broader concerns about whether workers in the Ogun State Civil Service could speak about their rights without fear of reprisal. The forum noted that disputes over a worker's responsibilities should be resolved by consulting appointment letters, job descriptions, public service rules and professional standards rather than through insults, intimidation or physical confrontation. The forum's statement came amid ongoing allegations of a hostile work environment for nurses in Ogun State's judiciary clinics. In a separate development, the ENF had earlier alleged that nurses working in judiciary staff clinics across Ogun State had reported incidents of workplace abuse, intimidation, humiliation and sexual harassment, suggesting the existence of a systemic pattern of abuse.
The ENF also raised concerns over the conduct of Mr Omololu Davies, identified as the Administrative/Area Court Registrar of the High Court, Ilaro. According to the forum, information available to it suggested Davies had previously been transferred from Ogun East to Ilaro under disciplinary circumstances. The forum demanded that the appropriate authorities clarify the circumstances surrounding that transfer and determine whether previous complaints were adequately investigated. The ENF also alleged that the same official had continued to harass female staff, including married women, at his current posting, insisting that the allegations required a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation.
The ENF further alleged that sources within the Ogun State Ministry of Health informed it that efforts were being made through the Office of the Attorney General to pressure the Hospitals Management Board into transferring the assaulted nurse to a location far from her family. "If this information is true, such action would amount to nothing less than victimisation. Punishing a victim instead of protecting her is completely unacceptable. No civilised society should reward those who allegedly abuse power while punishing those who seek justice," the organisation stated. Citing Sections 17, 34 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the ENF argued that every Nigerian is entitled to dignity, protection from degrading treatment and humane working conditions.
The forum has called on the Ogun State Government and the judiciary to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served. As the case continues to generate public attention, the ENF has vowed to ensure that the nurse is not victimised for standing up for her professional rights. The matter, if not properly addressed, threatens to further erode public confidence in the judiciary as a custodian of justice and the rule of law.
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