The Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, has issued a formal warning to its Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Olayinka Majekodunmi, and suspended a Post-Basic Psychiatric Nursing student, Seyi Ogunjobi, following an internal investigation into a reported altercation between both individuals.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, the Medical Director and Provost of the hospital, Dr. Paul Agboola, said that although Majekodunmi denied any physical assault, he admitted to using offensive language toward the student during a ward round on June 30, 2025.

“Dr. Majekodunmi admitted that, out of annoyance, he used the words, ‘You’re stupid, you’re a bastard.’ He, however, denied ever hitting the student nurse,” Agboola said. “His 12 witnesses, all of whom were present during the ward round, supported his claim that there was no physical contact.”

The hospital’s management constituted a panel, chaired by Agboola himself, to investigate the allegations. Other members of the panel included the Head of Administration, Mrs. Florence Oladeji; Head of Research and Training, Dr. Sunday Amosu; Principal of the School of Psychiatric Nursing, Dr. Taiwo Omirin; Vice Principal, Mr. Olorunisola; and Head of Servicom, Dr. Nurudeen Ibrahim.

According to Agboola, the incident occurred during a morning ward round when a dispute arose over seating arrangements. Ogunjobi was said to have retrieved a chair but refused to offer it to the head of the clinical team, which reportedly led to a verbal confrontation.

While Majekodunmi was sanctioned with a written warning, the student nurse was suspended after the panel found inconsistencies in his account of the incident.

“Mr. Ogunjobi alleged that he was hit with a chair and pushed,” Agboola explained. “However, he was unable to prove the claim. His sole witness, a staff nurse, stated that she could not confirm whether physical contact occurred. Based on this, we considered the allegation unsubstantiated.”

The hospital director also disclosed that Ogunjobi’s father had personally contacted him to thank the hospital for its approach and pleaded for leniency in handling the matter.

The case gained public attention after members of the hospital chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives held a peaceful protest, accusing the management of treating the matter unfairly. The association’s chairman, Narcissus Oluwalegan, had demanded the reversal of Ogunjobi’s suspension, warning that nurses could withdraw their services if the issue was not addressed within 24 hours.

In response, Agboola said the panel followed due process, reviewed all available evidence, and arrived at a decision that balanced disciplinary expectations with the available facts.

“We remain committed to fairness and accountability,” he said. “No one is above scrutiny, and we expect everyone, regardless of status, to conduct themselves in a professional manner.”

The hospital has not announced whether the student nurse’s suspension will be reviewed, though Agboola hinted that appeals are part of the hospital’s administrative procedures. (The Guardian, excluding headline)