Popular plastic surgeon Ayo Aranmolate of Grandville Medical Group has been suspended from practicing medicine by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (MDPDT).

With laser clinics in Surulere, Lekki and Abuja, Mr Aranmolate came into limelight after nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, attributed her surgically-enhanced body to him on January 2, 2018.

Since then, he has enjoyed the patronage of many female socialites seeking Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), liposuction, breast enhancement and other cosmetic procedures.

Unfortunately, the plastic surgeon may not be touching a scalpel soon after the MDPDT found him guilty of a four-count charge bordering on violation of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria. 

Although allegations were levelled against the Mr Aranmolate in 2020, his first arraignment was in August 2021 at the 8th session of the Tribunal, where he initially pleaded “not guilty” to all four charges.

However, on December 6, the plastic surgeon made a U-turn and pleaded “guilty” to all charges after his counsel, Paul Ananaba, prayed the court to change his earlier plea, while pleading for liniency for his client.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Nasir Aliyu, urged the court to convict him for blatant disregard for the laws that governs the medical profession.

On the first count, the doctor is accused of supporting companies to infringe on patient’s confidentiality, thereby, violating Rules 14.1b,14.1c,14.1e and 27 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria.

The second count charge states that he conducted several cosmetic operations without registering plastic surgery as an additional qualification with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). 

The charge notes that this violation is punishable by the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP. M8, LFN 2004.

Mr Aranmolate is accused in the third count of using a TV programme to unlawfully expose his patients’ information to the general public, thereby violating Rule 44 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria.

In the fourth charge, the cosmetic doctor is said to have used the TV programme, “Dr. Laser”, as an avenue to self-advertise, which contradicts the laws that govern medical practice in Nigeria.

After listening to arguments from both parties, Abba Waziri Hassan, chairman of the tribunal, suspended Mr Aranmolate from medical practice. 

“The tribunal, having considered the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, hereby convicts the Respondent, Dr. Abayomi, on all the four counts. The Respondent is accordingly convicted as charged, for infamous conduct in a professional respect.

“In view of the passionate plea for leniency by Senior Counsel to the Respondent, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, the Tribunal was persuaded not to pass the maximum sentence for such professional misconduct.

“He was accordingly suspended from medical practice for a period of three months in each count, and the sentence is to run concurrently,” the tribunal ruled.