The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta Tribunal has suspended a Nigerian doctor who is based in Canada for getting intimate with a colleague of his at work.
According to reports, the medical doctor known as Efe Ovueni was was slammed with three months suspension over unprofessional conduct by hugging and blowing a kiss at his co-worker without her consent.
Also, the doctor was fined $3,000 and will pay the undisclosed cost of the hearing and investigation. As a result of the fine and suspension which became effective immediately, Ovueni will not engage in medical practice for over 90 days.
The suspension was announced recently after a hearing by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) tribunal.
According to findings, the doctor committed the offense on January 21, 2020. During the tribunal, the doctor admitted his unprofessional conduct and promised to turn a new leaf.
“Ovueni’s practice permit shall be suspended for a period of three months, with two weeks to be served on dates acceptable to the Complaints Director and completed within six 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 five years after the date the Hearing Tribunal issues its written decision,” the tribunal held.
Also, the tribunal said that the doctor’s actions did not meet the criteria for sexual misconduct under the Health Professions Act since the victim was a staff and not a patient.
The tribunal’s report added: “Rather, this was a case of a boundary violation between a physician and a co-worker, demonstrating unprofessional conduct that was wholly unacceptable.
“If further boundary concerns come to the attention of the Complaints Director and are referred to an investigation within five years from the date the Hearing Tribunal issues its written decision, the Complaints Director shall be at liberty to impose the remaining 2.5 months suspension on Dr. Ovueni’s practice permit.
“If no further boundary concerns come to the attention of the Complaints Director and are referred to an investigation within five years from the date the Hearing Tribunal issues its written decision, the remaining 2.5-month suspension shall expire.”
