UK Jails Nigerian Immigrant Who Impersonated Female Nurse

A Chester Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom has sentenced a Nigerian migrant, Lucius Njoku, to 16 weeks in prison for impersonating a female nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire.

The court heard that between February and April 2024, Njoku worked at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit under the name Joyce George, a female friend and fellow Nigerian living in Ellesmere Port.

According to prosecutors, George, a registered nurse employed through an agency, allowed Njoku to perform her shifts using her identity.

During that period, he attended to seriously ill patients, helping to wash, dress, and monitor them.

Lisa McGuire, the prosecutor, said the case raised significant concerns about hospital access and safety.

“Fortunately, no harm was done and there were no complaints about Njoku’s work. But it is the access which is the serious concern,” she told the court.

Investigators discovered the impersonation after police raided George’s residence and found text messages between her and Njoku discussing work shifts.

George has since been charged with fraud but is believed to have fled to Nigeria. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Njoku, a 33-year-old qualified nurse who came to the UK as a student, admitted to a charge of fraud by false representation. His lawyer, Steven Alis, said his client took the job while facing financial hardship and before his own safeguarding checks had been completed.

Alis also noted that the hospital’s management had failed to detect the impersonation, even though Njoku wore George’s NHS badge displaying her photograph.

Njoku’s deception came to light when a patient noticed the discrepancy and questioned his identity. The defendant reportedly told the patient, “My name is Joyce, but I am a man.”

Delivering judgment, District Judge John McGarva sentenced Njoku to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete 80 hours of unpaid community service. He was also directed to pay £239 in costs and surcharge.

Njoku, who now works at Vauxhall, is a dependent on his wife’s work visa. It remains unclear whether UK immigration authorities will pursue deportation proceedings against him.(Daily trust)