The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has suspended a medical practitioner, Michael Owoicho-Odeh, for six months.

He was suspended for malpractice and enticement of his patient, Ifeoma Orji.

The five-member Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal sanctioned the medical doctor on Wednesday in Jos.

Mr Owoicho-Odeh pleaded not guilty.

The tribunal, chaired by Abba Waziri-Hassan, held that the doctor, found guilty on count one, between April 15 and October 25, 2014, or thereabout at ELROI Mission Hospital in Plateau engaged in malpractice and enticed Mrs Orji during his medical practice.

Tribunal’s verdict was a fallout of a case between the panel’s chairman and Mr Owoicho-Odeh following a complaint lodged by Mrs Orji’s husband, alleging that the doctor abused his position as a doctor to his family by engaging in an indecent and financial relationship with his wife.

On this premise, the panel investigated the matter, establishing a prima facie case against Mr Owoicho-Odeh and accordingly forwarded it to the tribunal for adjudication.

The prosecution had told the tribunal that Mr Owoicho-Odeh committed the offences and should be punished.

According to the prosecution, infamous conduct in medical ethics connotes “disreputable” and “morally reprehensible” behaviours.

But Mr Owoicho-Odeh, in his counter-affidavit, denied knowing Mrs Orji and her children and that he established his medical practice under the name ELROI Mission Hospital on April 15, 2014.

(NAN)