Nigerian Doctor Based in Canada Suspended For Hugging and Blowing a Kiss to Co-Worker

A Canada-based Nigerian doctor identified as Efe Ovueni, has been suspended from medical practice for three months over unprofessional conduct by hugging and blowing a kiss at his co-worker without her consent.

The suspension was announced on Thursday, following a hearing by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)tribunal — the hearing was concluded in December 2021, where he admitted to his unprofessional conduct and promised to turn a new leaf.

Efe who was said to have indulged in the act on January 21, 2020 was fined $3,000 and is liable for the undisclosed cost of the hearing and investigation. With the fine and suspension which takes immediate effect, he has been banned from medical practice for over 90 days.

The tribunal determined that since the victim was a member of staff and not a patient, the doctor’s actions did not meet the criteria for s#xual misconduct under the health professions act. “Rather, this was a case of a boundary violation between a physician and a co-worker, demonstrating unprofessional conduct that was wholly unacceptable,” the tribunal report reads.

The tribunal also determined that Ovueni’s practice permit “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”.