A Nigerian health professional, Adewale Kudabo, 47, has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a vulnerable patient at York Hospital in the United Kingdom. The assaults occurred within just nine months of Kudabo’s arrival in the UK from Nigeria, raising serious concerns about patient safety and professional conduct in healthcare environments.
According to evidence presented at York Crown Court, the victim was in a particularly vulnerable state due to a serious medical condition that left her largely immobile and in significant pain. On two separate occasions, Kudabo took advantage of her inability to resist and kissed her on the lips without her consent while she was confined to her hospital bed.
Prosecutor Henry Fernandez described the incidents in detail. The first assault took place after Kudabo had given the patient a bed bath. Despite the victim’s attempts to pull her head away to avoid the unwanted kiss, Kudabo persisted. A few days later, when the patient declined Kudabo’s offer to assist with another bed bath, he again bent down and kissed her while she lay helpless and unable to move.
The court heard that Kudabo was a married man residing in the South Bank area of York near Bishopthorpe Road. His actions represented a gross violation of trust and professional ethics, exploiting the vulnerability of a patient under his care.
Kudabo’s guilty plea to two counts of sexual assault was accepted by the court, and he was sentenced on June 10, 2025. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the offenses, particularly given the victim’s vulnerable condition and the breach of duty by a healthcare professional.
This case has drawn attention to the importance of safeguarding vulnerable patients in healthcare settings and ensuring that all medical personnel adhere to strict ethical standards. It also underscores the need for robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms within hospitals to prevent abuse and protect patients.
The victim, who suffered emotional distress from the assaults, is receiving support and counseling following the ordeal. Hospital authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to patient safety and stated that they are reviewing their policies and staff training to prevent similar incidents in the future.
