A Lagos-based architect, Mr. Alfred Ogene, has filed a major lawsuit against R-Jolad Hospital Nigeria Limited, accusing the private health facility of medical negligence that he says has left him permanently injured. The suit, valued at over N800 million, is one of the latest cases drawing public attention to patient safety and medical practice standards in Nigeria.
According to court documents, Mr. Ogene claims that actions and omissions by staff of the hospital caused severe and irreversible damage to his urinary system, leading to lifelong pain, emotional suffering and loss of income.
The case was filed through his legal team in a Memorandum of Claim submitted to a Lagos court. In the suit, Ogene is asking the court to award him damages for pain and suffering, psychological trauma, loss of earnings, loss of enjoyment of life and refund of medical expenses allegedly caused by the hospital’s negligence.
Mr. Ogene, a consultant architect with over 40 years of professional experience, was admitted to R-Jolad Hospital in the early hours of November 15, 2025. According to his lawyers, he was brought in for treatment after suffering a stroke that affected his right hand and leg, leading to partial paralysis.
The claim states that before his admission, Mr. Ogene had no history of urinary problems. However, due to his limited movement following the stroke, hospital staff inserted a urinary catheter to help him pass urine.
His lawyers allege that trouble began less than 24 hours later. According to the claim, the catheter was changed by a nurse, after which Mr. Ogene noticed abnormal urine leakage and began to experience severe pain in his groin area.
The suit alleges that despite his repeated complaints, the nurse involved, identified in the documents as Nurse Elizabeth, and other hospital staff dismissed his concerns. They reportedly told him that the pain was normal and would subside.
Instead of improving, his condition allegedly became worse. The claim states that Mr. Ogene developed abdominal swelling, increasing pain and serious discomfort, which later turned into a medical emergency.
According to the court papers, proper medical intervention was delayed. Emergency procedures, including a suprapubic bladder drainage, were only carried out after significant injury had already occurred.
The lawsuit is based on an alleged breach of duty of care, which is a legal responsibility placed on healthcare providers to treat patients according to accepted medical standards.
Mr. Ogene’s legal team argues that the hospital owed him a duty of care, breached that duty through poor catheter management and delayed response, and that this breach directly caused his injuries.
Specifically, the claim accuses the hospital of wrongly inserting and managing the catheter, ignoring warning signs of complications, delaying timely medical intervention, and failing to act promptly to prevent serious injury.
Under Nigerian law, for a medical negligence claim to succeed, a claimant must prove three things: that the hospital owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached, and that the breach caused the injury. Ogene’s lawyers say all these conditions are clearly met in this case.
The Memorandum of Claim further states that the alleged negligence caused extensive damage to Mr. Ogene’s bladder and urethra. As a result, he is now dependent on a catheter and unable to return to normal life.
The suit claims that the injury has affected every aspect of his life. According to the documents, Mr. Ogene has suffered permanent urinary impairment, emotional pain, psychological trauma and humiliation.
He also claims that the condition has affected his marriage, leading to loss of marital intimacy. In addition, he says he can no longer earn a living as an architect or carry out professional and ministerial duties.
The lawsuit also states that the injury has prevented him from undergoing proper physiotherapy needed for his recovery from stroke, further worsening his health condition.
An independent consultant urologist, according to the claim, examined Mr. Ogene and confirmed that his injuries are consistent with trauma caused by improper catheter use.
In total, Mr. Ogene is asking the court to award him N500 million as general damages for alleged negligent treatment. He is also seeking N100 million for mental and psychological trauma, and N200 million for loss of enjoyment of life.
In addition, he is claiming N10 million every month from December 2025 until 2042 as compensation for loss of earnings. He is also asking for a refund of hospital bills and legal costs.
Despite filing the suit, Mr. Ogene has proposed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a way to settle the matter without a full trial. His lawyers warned that if the hospital refuses to engage, the case will proceed to full litigation in court.
Reacting to the lawsuit, R-Jolad Hospital confirmed that it is aware of the complaint. The hospital, through its Customer Service Officer, Ms. Ayomide Olayiwola, said the matter has been escalated for internal investigation.
The hospital said it could not comment on the details of the case due to patient confidentiality. However, it maintained that all complaints are taken seriously and are subjected to clinical audits, internal reviews and management oversight in line with its quality assurance policies.
Medical negligence cases have become more common in Nigeria in recent years as patients increasingly seek legal action over alleged poor treatment. Many health experts say this reflects growing awareness of patients’ rights and the need for accountability in the health sector.
Healthcare professionals, on the other hand, warn that while negligence must be punished, doctors and nurses also work under difficult conditions, including staff shortages, long hours and limited equipment.
For now, Mr. Ogene’s case has added to the national conversation about medical care, patient safety and justice. As the legal process unfolds, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the court handles the serious allegations and the large amount of damages being claimed.