The body of Nurses in Ogun state, The Elegant Nurses Forum (ENF), has condemned the alleged victimisation, intimidation and transfer of a nurse attached to the High Court Judiciary Clinic in Ilaro, Ogun State, following a reported dispute over her professional duties.

The forum alleged that the nurse was verbally abused and physically assaulted by the Principal Registrar of the Judiciary Clinic, Mr. Omololu Davies, after she reportedly declined an instruction to sweep the clinic, explaining that the task was outside her professional nursing duties.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Nurse Thomas Abiodun Olamide, the ENF also raised concerns over the subsequent transfer of the affected nurse from Ilaro to Ayetoro, questioning whether the move was a legitimate administrative decision or a punitive measure connected to her complaint.

The group said it was “deeply disturbing that an office which Nigerians look up to as a custodian of justice and the rule of law could be associated with actions that, if established, amount to the intimidation of a worker for speaking up against alleged mistreatment.”

According to the forum, the incident started after Davies allegedly instructed the Registered Nurse/Midwife posted to the Judiciary Clinic to sweep the clinic.

The nurse reportedly declined politely, stating that sweeping was not part of her professional duties.

The ENF alleged that instead of resolving the matter through dialogue and established administrative procedures, the Principal Registrar verbally assaulted and insulted the nurse.

The matter reportedly came to the attention of nursing leaders at the State Hospital, Ilaro, from where the nurse had been posted to the Judiciary Clinic.

A delegation of nursing leaders was subsequently sent to intervene, but the forum alleged that they were also insulted and treated with disrespect by the Principal Registrar before leaving the premises.

The situation allegedly escalated when Davies asked the nurse to leave the clinic, saying he wanted to lock the facility because she had refused to sweep.

The group further alleged that he pushed the nurse aside, called her derogatory names and subsequently locked the clinic.

“A worker should not be physically assaulted, verbally abused, humiliated or threatened simply because she has raised a legitimate concern about her duties,” the group said.

The forum stressed that nurses are professionals and should be treated with dignity and respect.

“Nursing involves clinical care, health assessment, medication administration, health education, patient advocacy, infection prevention and control, documentation, monitoring and other professional responsibilities,” it said.

It acknowledged that nurses could participate in maintaining a safe and hygienic clinical environment but argued that this should not be confused with assigning nurses the routine duties of cleaners.

“The nurse can only supervise the cleaning carried out by cleaners,” the statement added.

The ENF said disputes over a worker’s responsibilities should be resolved by consulting appointment letters, job descriptions, public service rules and professional standards rather than through insults, intimidation or physical confrontation.

The group said it had confirmed that the affected nurse had been transferred from Ilaro to Ayetoro, with the transfer letter forwarded to the State Hospital, Ilaro.

“From the information available to us, there had allegedly been pressure for the nurse to be suspended,” the forum said, adding that after public attention and media reports, the alleged suspension was reportedly not pursued and the nurse was subsequently transferred farther away.

“Administrative transfer must never become a disguised instrument of victimisation,” the group said.

The ENF said the matter raised broader concerns about whether workers in the Ogun State Civil Service could speak about their rights without fear of retaliation.

It cited constitutional provisions protecting workers’ welfare, human dignity, freedom of association and freedom from discrimination.

The forum also raised concerns over the gender dimension of the incident, asking, “Would the same treatment have been meted out to a male worker who politely refused to perform duties outside his professional responsibilities and subsequently complained about alleged abuse?”

It further asked, “Why the sudden aggression by the Principal Registrar? Is sexual harassment not involved?”

The group called for the gender dimension of the matter to be properly examined.

The ENF demanded an independent investigation into the alleged assault, verbal abuse, intimidation and humiliation of the nurse, insisting that the probe “must not be controlled solely by persons or institutions whose actions or decisions are themselves subjects of the complaint.”

It also demanded an explanation from the Ogun State Government on the reason for the nurse’s transfer, immediate protection against further victimisation, and a mechanism through which civil servants can report workplace abuse without fear of retaliation.

The group urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, human rights organisations, women’s rights groups and other workers’ rights advocates to intervene.

The ENF said it is not seeking special treatment for the nurse but “justice, fairness, due process and respect for workers’ rights.”

“We are not demanding that anyone be condemned without investigation. We are demanding that an investigation be conducted without intimidation, interference or bias,” it said.

The forum added, “The rule of law must apply to the powerful and the ordinary worker alike.”

It called for accountability and an impartial resolution of the matter, insisting that the affected nurse should not suffer further disadvantage for raising concerns about her treatment.

“We demand justice. We demand accountability. We demand respect for workers’ rights,” the group said.

The kidnappers of the chairman of Jezco Group, Chief Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, have reportedly demanded a N1.5 billion ransom for his release.

Report says the abductors had initially asked the family to pay N700 million.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed this, saying the kidnappers had established contact with the family the report further mention.

According to the source, the kidnappers initially demanded N700 million, a figure that the victim’s family reportedly accepted as part of efforts to secure their father’s release.

The kidnappers, however, were said to have subsequently raised their demand to N1.5 billion.

The source said the family had remained willing to negotiate with the abductors, but the kidnappers had since stopped further engagement with the family.

It was gathered that the development has left the family in a difficult position, as efforts to reopen communication with the abductors have reportedly not yielded results.

A week after the septuagenarian businessman was kidnapped, the police and the state government authorities have remained silent on the incident.

The Anambra State Police Command has yet to make any official statement on the incident.

Ezeokafor was kidnapped on Tuesday at about 2 am when he reportedly left his home for a prayer ground for his annual spiritual rejuvenation.

He was said to have left his security details behind when he stepped out of his house, giving the kidnappers easy access to him.

The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, over his alleged comment directing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to “kill” members of the rival Accord Party during the state governorship election.

The summons followed the circulation of a video on social media in which the senator, while speaking in Yoruba during an APC campaign in Ilesa on Tuesday, allegedly made the controversial remarks.

In a letter dated August 11, 2026, and signed by the Commissioner of Police, Elections, Osun State, Samuel Etaifo Erale, the command invited Fadahunsi to clarify the circumstances surrounding the statements.

The senator was directed to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, at 11am on Wednesday, August 12.

The letter said the invitation was based on information available to the police alleging that Fadahunsi made statements considered “threatening, inciting and intimidating” during the campaign.

It added that the alleged statement had been circulated on various electronic and social media platforms.

Senator clarifies comment

Fadahunsi, in the video, was heard speaking in Yoruba and allegedly telling APC supporters to kill members of the Accord Party if they encountered them during the electoral process.

Following the backlash generated by the video, however, the senator’s team said his comment was misinterpreted.

In a statement titled, “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the team said the senator was calling on APC supporters to defeat the Accord Party through the ballot box.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senator’s statement was purely political and metaphorical,” the statement said.

It described the senator’s remark as a call for supporters to “overwhelmingly reject the Accord Party at the ballot box through lawful, peaceful and democratic means” during the August 15 governorship election.

The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, in which incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Adeleke has repeatedly accused the APC of using thugs to attack his supporters, allegations the party has disputed.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Commissioner for Election, Samuel Etaifo, has warned politicians to refrain from using violence and inciteful comments as the state heads to the governorship election on Saturday.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday, the police commissioner condemned the alleged comment, saying the politicians must exercise restraint at this critical period.

“At this critical period of the electoral process, political leaders and public office holders are expected to exercise restraint, promote peace, and refrain from making comments capable of heightening tension or undermining public confidence in the electoral and security arrangements put in place for the forthcoming election,” he said.

While reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to neutrality, professionalism, and the protection of democratic values, CP Etaifo emphasised that the Police will not tolerate any act, utterance, or conduct capable of inciting violence, disrupting public peace, or threatening the security of the state.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has invited Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi to provide clarification on the statement and to foster mutual understanding in the interest of peace and security,” he said.