A nurse and midwife based in Lagos, Femi Adeyemo, who is also known as "Psalmist Nifemi," has become the focus of controversy afte...
A nurse and midwife based in Lagos, Femi Adeyemo, who is also known as "Psalmist Nifemi," has become the focus of controversy after at least two women claimed he posed as a medical doctor and carried out faulty plastic surgeries, resulting in them suffering from pain and unsatisfactory results. VICTOR AYENI reports that as the victims share their terrible stories, the clinic involved in the scandal is trying to protect its image.
On the night of November 2, as most people were getting ready for sleep, shocking claims appeared on X (formerly Twitter) targeting a nurse and midwife named Femi Adeyemo, widely recognized as Psalmist Nifemi.
The tweet, which had received more than 100,000 views by Wednesday night, was posted by a physician, Dr. Princess Williams (@williams___p), who alleged that Adeyemo conducted faulty cosmetic surgeries on women, reportedly resulting in several fatalities.
"Several of his victims lost their lives; those who lived, he is intimidating. A large number of victims are unable to come forward because he scares them," Williams claimed.
Less than an hour later, the physician revised her tweet, referencing the original post and including a set of alarming images and videos depicting women with severe signs of tissue death and failed surgical procedures.
Adeyemo, who runs a private clinic called Elysian Sculpt in Lagos, is said to have many "dolls," a slang term used in certain plastic surgery circles for patients receiving different cosmetic treatments.
Nevertheless, there were claims that some individuals who visited his clinic for cosmetic procedures had unfortunate experiences afterward.
I have over 30 victims," Williams claimed. "He attracts them, offers them relationships, requests them to bring other girls for his brand, and then discards them.
Posting an image of Adeyemo in a uniform with the text 'CMD' (Chief Medical Director) stitched on it, Williams mentioned that Adeyemo did not have the medical credentials to possess such a title.
As she explained, the desire to expose questionable practices arose from a recent personal loss she had suffered.
"My older brother passed away four weeks ago due to improper medical treatment in my hometown. He suffered a stab wound, which was stitched, but he didn't undergo a scan until the sixth day. He didn't make it through the surgery. He had a perforated intestine," she said.
On Monday, the Lagos State Police Command, through its official X account, addressed Williams' popular post and encouraged victims to "file an official complaint at the nearest police station" to initiate investigations.
Nevertheless, in a statement authored by Moyo Odejide, the legal representative of Adeyemo and Elysian Sculpt, she characterized the assertions shared on social media as "unfounded and incorrect."
The claims mentioned in your message are unfounded, factually incorrect, and part of a planned campaign to damage the reputation of a well-regarded healthcare professional and his organization.
"Such statements, provided anonymously, without evidence, and using fake names, are not trustworthy, cannot be checked, and show no journalistic ethics. Printing them without verification would not be journalism; it would be the careless spreading of lies," Odejide said when asked by Sunday PUNCH.
Patient dies, clinic self-closes
When Sunday PUNCH contacted Williams, she stated that many of Adeyemo's claimed victims were too frightened to come forward, as he was said to have warned them that receiving care at different hospitals might make their situations worse.
Nevertheless, she stated that a woman known as Uju Nsodum was the most recent casualty who passed away following a liposuction treatment at the clinic last week.
The hospital administration, in a statement released on November 6, expressed its "deep sorrow over the unfortunate death of a patient" and offered its "sincere condolences to the family and close ones of the deceased."
The operation was carried out by a trained and certified surgical team, with all standard procedures regarding consent, pre-surgical evaluation, and post-surgical care being carefully adhered to.
We strongly assert that the treatment administered adhered completely to medical guidelines, and any ensuing issues were managed using all applicable medical protocols and measures.
"We are also conscious of and greatly concerned about the spread of false and harmful statements on the internet, including misleading portrayals of our team's credentials and unfounded accusations of past events, which we firmly reject," the statement partially stated.
The administration also revealed that the clinic would be closed temporarily but emphasized its "commitment to openness and will fully support any official investigations by providing a thorough and accurate report."
In her reply to Sunday PUNCH on Thursday about the assertion concerning Nsodum's death, Odejide stated, "With regard to the specific and very upsetting passing of the late Ms Uju Nsodum, we need to address a significant error: Ms Uju did not die at the Elysian Sculpt facility."
We are strongly dedicated to every one of our clients, and we are avoiding sharing information that could compromise client privacy. Elysian Sculpt is led by a group of skilled and well-regarded medical experts whose standing has been established through years of ethical work and outstanding patient service.
"Additionally, the whole issue is currently under a formal and ongoing investigation by the Nigerian Police Force. In accordance with standard legal and ethical procedures, all involved parties, including the media, are required to let this official inquiry proceed without any disruption," Odejide stated.
Nevertheless, in a letter delivered to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, she mentioned, “We need to clearly refute a harmful and misleading statement: there is no record, and there never was an occurrence, of any patient referred to as 'Ms Uju' passing away at Elysian Sculpt. This statement is completely false. The patient, in fact, died in the ICU of a different hospital altogether.”
‘I developed necrosis’
Patricia Eke (not her real name), one of the individuals claiming to be a victim, shared with Sunday PUNCH that she learned about Adeyemo a year ago via a surgical group where he was advertising.
Eke revealed that while she chose liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift, she was especially interested when Adeyemo told potential patients that he utilized ultrasound technology, which helps prevent fat embolism, a major cause of death in cosmetic surgery.
He claimed to be a board-certified surgeon, but I eventually discovered that this was false. He then selected a date for me that occurred during the same week, which I found strange. Afterward, he changed it to October 23 (last year). In the end, we completed the procedure on October 20.
Prior to the operation, I mentioned to him that I had a cough, which resembled an allergic reaction. He was aware of this, but still scheduled me for that week. At that moment, I wasn't aware that the cough was a significant problem. Before the surgery, Nifemi stated that he was bringing a surgeon to treat me, but I later discovered that he was the one who conducted the procedure.
"Afterwards, I realized it was a dangerous procedure, and if it were a reputable hospital, they would have canceled my surgery because I wasn't sedated; it was an awake operation. They mentioned that during an awake surgery, you can't cough as it's extremely risky. So, it was only by God's grace that I was able to manage the cough throughout the procedure," Eke shared.
As per a research article featured in the Journal of Neurosurgical Anaesthesiology, referenced by the National Library of Medicine, an awake surgery "is more mentally and physically challenging for patients compared to surgery conducted under general anesthesia."
Two weeks following the treatment, Eke experienced a sensation of tightness around her hips, prompting her to express her concern to Adeyemo. She mentioned that the nurse assured her there was no cause for alarm, as she had specifically desired to enhance her hip dips.
He claimed it was typical, and they added a significant amount of fat there. Nifemi assured me it would become soft over time, and I trusted him since I believed he knew what he was doing. After two months, I noticed that the area turned very dark and caused me pain. Someone who saw it told me it wasn't normal because she had undergone surgery twice, and it didn't look like this.
"I became concerned and shared about it in the surgery group, asking if anyone had faced a similar situation. People then informed me that I had developed necrosis, which was already too late as it hadn't been addressed in time," she added.
Eke is said to have sent a message to Adeyemo, who reportedly inquired if she smoked or drank following the procedure. She stated that she did not leave the house for two months after the surgery.
I didn't smoke, and I wasn't in the presence of smokers. I shared this on Instagram, and when he (Adeyemo) learned about it, he was upset and claimed that the necrosis I experienced after two months wasn't caused by them but by my own actions.
"He then told me I should come in for it to be drained, but based on the research I did, necrosis can't be drained since it had been present for two months, and there was nothing left to drain. So, I have been visiting a post-operative nurse. It hasn't gone away yet, but it's slightly improved now," she added.
“Dolls” and cosmetic procedures
While data regarding plastic surgery in Nigeria is scarce, most research indicates that the majority of patients are young to middle-aged women pursuing cosmetic treatments such as liposuction and buttock enhancement, along with a smaller but notable group receiving reconstructive surgeries.
A plastic surgeon named Dr. Cameron Craven, in an article released by Westlake Dermatology, stated that skin necrosis is a uncommon complication that can occur with any type of surgical operation, including cosmetic procedures.
"Skin necrosis happens when the blood flow to the skin is blocked or injured. This restricts the supply of oxygen and nutrients, leading to the death of skin tissue," he mentioned.
Social media has played a major role in increasing the popularity of plastic surgery in Nigeria by raising awareness of beauty standards, affecting the desire for cosmetic treatments, and acting as a medium for surgeons to advertise their expertise.
PUNCH's checks by Sunday revealed that there are pages onInstagramand TikTok features advertisements, surgical experiences, and "doll" groups, where particular clinics in cities throughout Nigeria are advertised to users.
Certain surgeons personally connect with potential "dolls," who might act as models to draw in additional clients in return for undergoing procedures at reduced costs.
Another allegation
Additionally, sharing a comparable story, Anita Dike (not her real name) mentioned she suffered from tissue death following liposuction, which she claimed was carried out by Adeyemo.
As per her statement, she encountered Adeyemo's post in March within a surgical community she had joined, where he revealed intentions to offer free surgeries for women, although they would need to pay a N1m deposit as part of his method of "giving back to the community."
Dike mentioned that following her expression of interest, along with other women, she was requested to submit videos of herself wearing just bras and pants, which everyone sent.
"They conducted the vote, and I was selected. That's when I reached out to Nifemi, and he introduced himself as a plastic surgeon. Everyone in our community also thought he was a doctor. He shared many things with me and mentioned that one of the girls he performed surgery on developed necrosis, but she was the only one who had that issue," Dike said.
She mentioned that Adeyemo informed her she had "a significant amount of fat in the upper body" needing liposuction, but the free procedure only covered "the back area down to the buttocks." He subsequently requested an extra payment of N1m, which she made.
"Approximately two days later, Nifemi called me and requested that I come to the hospital as I had a surgery planned. When I informed my sister, she mentioned something was odd. I wasn't aware I was supposed to undergo an ECG, heart tests, or other pre-surgery evaluations. I went to the hospital, where they took my blood, questioned me, and he (Adeyemo) even noted down what I was supposed to say in a video. I was scheduled for surgery on the same day around 11 a.m.," Dike stated.
She remembered that prior to the procedure starting, Adeyemo presented the anaesthetist and his assistant, following which the anesthesia was given.
During the procedure, she stated, Adeyemo initially pressed on her abdomen and inquired if she experienced any discomfort. She responded that she did not feel any at that moment.
When he began liposuctioning the upper part of my body, I started yelling, 'I'm in pain! I'm hurting, please!' He questioned whether I smoked or consumed alcohol, and I replied no. Nifemi mentioned that the anesthesia was supposed to affect the upper part of my body, but it didn't because I smoked and drank. I informed him that I don't engage in either activity, and if I had consumed alcohol, I would have been unstable or vomited.
"At a certain point, I realized Nifemi was the only one conducting the surgery. I felt frightened because I believed it would be quicker and more secure with two people on the team. After the procedure, he mentioned that my period had started during the surgery, but I informed him that this wasn't possible since I wasn't due yet. Later, I discovered that he shares the same story with other patients so that if any complications arise, he can blame them for having an abortion," Dike added.
Dike mentioned that she remained in the hospital for two days prior to being transferred to the aftercare unit. "Nifemi used to visit me there and talk extensively," she recalled. "On the fifth or sixth day, I began to notice something on my buttocks, and it was draining pus. I took a picture and sent it to him. He said he would come to the hospital, but for three days, he didn't appear. When I showed the same issue to the masseuse who worked with me, she informed me it was necrosis. I was extremely frightened."
Alleged demands
Eke and Dike both claimed that Adeyemo frequently used "dolls" to draw in new patients to his clinic via social media videos, even though the individuals experienced adverse effects following their treatments.
As per Dike, when she shared her concerns with the administrator of the surgical community, who subsequently exposed Adeyemo, he allegedly mocked her during a three-way phone conversation and requested an extra N4m.
I informed him that I couldn't give him any more money. He mentioned that I was meant to be an ambassador for his clinic, so I couldn't pull out now. He began to threaten me, stating that I couldn't just walk away, that I was supposed to promote his clinic and get more people involved. He brought up the fact that I signed a confidentiality agreement to promote the clinic, so I uploaded a video onTikTok about my surgery journey.
The post went viral, and people started texting him so much that he was delighted. He called me to let me know that I was doing well, that myTikTokThe video had attracted more clients. However, my conscience was troubled because if people paid and faced the same issue, with my image on his (Nifemi's) page, they might come after me if someone died following the surgery.
"I called my mother, and she advised me to withdraw. I told him I couldn't continue; I couldn't keep misleading Nigerians. He claimed I wasn't happy being alive and questioned what would have happened if I had died. It turned out that someone had passed away the same week I underwent the procedure, but he kept it from me. Recently, I found out that two people died around the same time as my surgery. I had to seek treatment for the necrosis at different hospitals," Dike alleged.
Adeyemo’s legal response
In a letter delivered to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, Odejide, the legal representative of Adeyemo, stated that medical confidentiality restricts the team from publicly addressing the allegations raised by the individuals claiming to be patients.
Essentially, we need to highlight a core principle of medical and nursing ethics: our client is unable to publicly reveal patient records, treatment information, or clinical discussions to counter anonymous claims, as this would breach the fundamental trust of patient confidentiality safeguarded by Section 18(1) of the NMCN Code of Professional Conduct and global medical ethics.
Even if Mr. Adeyemo wanted to defend himself by providing counter-evidence like consent forms, pre-surgery evaluations, or follow-up care records, he is legally and ethically not allowed to do so without the clear, informed permission of the people concerned. This isn't avoiding responsibility; it's maintaining professional ethics.
Thus, the process that would enable him to refute these allegations, such as accessing medical records, is restricted by law and ethical guidelines, specifically to safeguard patients.
"However, those who make the accusations are not subject to the same limitations. They stay concealed behind fake names while making damaging claims in the public sphere," Odejide explained.
She also mentioned that those who accuse Adeyemo should come forward and report to the appropriate authorities.
If these claims are true, then the people involved should come forward with their names, provide sworn statements, present verifiable medical documents, and submit official complaints to the relevant authorities, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Until these people step forward via legal and responsible methods, their statements are considered unconfirmed rumors, and any content published based on them will be regarded as inherently defamatory.
The authorities have started a formal investigation into the source, intent, and reliability of these claims," Odejide stated. "As this is an active official inquiry, early media reporting could interfere with the legal process and potentially affect the investigation. According to Section 107 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the media is required to show caution when dealing with issues under investigation.
She also emphasized that Adeyemo "denies all accusations. He has consistently behaved with professionalism, integrity, and in accordance with his nursing license."
He upholds patient confidentiality and refrains from breaching it to protect himself in the public eye. He fully complies with legal inquiries and regulatory supervision.
Dr and CMD titles
Multiple sources alleged that Adeyemo not only presented himself as a medical doctor but also asserted he was a CMD, despite lacking a medical degree and being merely a licensed nurse and midwife.
In a video clip from a previously removed YouTube podcast seen by Sunday PUNCH, Adeyemo was introduced by gospel artist Akinade Ibuoye, widely recognized as Gaise Baba, as "Dr.," a title he did not challenge.
I can refer to him as a brother, yes, and he is a Dr. So, please join me in welcoming Dr. Nifemi," said Gaise Baba while introducing Adeyemo, who replied, "Good day, everyone.
Gaise Baba then inquired, "For lawyers, they say, 'I was called to the bar this year.' What do doctors say?" Adeyemo responded, "Entered practice."
When Gaise Baba inquired about the year he began his practice, Adeyemo replied, "2014. That was roughly 10 years back," and mentioned that he had been working as a physician for approximately 11 or 12 years.
Adeyemo also stated that he went to "medical school" and mentioned he worked with a consultant who was "an older man." He further noted, "My posting was in Akure (Ondo State)."
On Monday, a user on X, identified as a Nigerian Doctor, mentioned Gaise Baba in a post stating, “Are you aware that it is well documented that 'Doctor Nifemi' is actually a nurse who has been pretending to be a doctor? Do you agree that in this video, you gave credibility to his false qualifications when you said, 'I can call him my brother,' and shared your experience as a witness to his 'medical journey'?”
As a servant of God, you must be cautious about the individuals you surround yourself with and bring into your inner circle. Nifemi is said to have ruined numerous plastic surgeries, and Dr. Williams has mentioned 30 victims.
As of Wednesday night, when Sunday PUNCH reviewed Adeyemo's LinkedIn profile, his education section showed that he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Obafemi Awolowo University, located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, from 2009 to 2014.
He also mentioned an online course on Management and Leadership in Healthcare offered by the University of Washington Global Health, though no specific date was provided.
In the employment history section, his profile indicated that he served as a Ward Manager at a private hospital in Lagos from February 2019 to November 2021.
As per the same profile, he took on the role of CEO at Recon Health Consult in July 2012 and continues to hold this position up to now. He further stated that he has been working as a "Consultant Team Lead" at the same clinic since November 2014.
However, according to Adeyemo's statements during his conversation with Gaise Baba and the details on his LinkedIn page, it seems he started practicing medicine or worked as a medical advisor while studying for his Bachelor's degree in Nursing at OAU.
In an X post published by NJO (@njonurses) on August 7, 2022, Adeyemo and his hospital were highlighted, with him being described as "a registered nurse" and "CMD" at Recon Hospital. It was also mentioned that he holds the credentials "BnSc, RN, RM, RPHN, RPON, PMP."
In a similar vein, reports released by The Guardian, ThisDay, and Vanguard in November and December 2023 (links shared with Sunday PUNCH by Odejide) referred to Adeyemo as "the youngest CMD" in Nigeria.
Nevertheless, research conducted by Sunday PUNCH indicated that to become a CMD in Nigeria, an individual must be a licensed medical or dental professional registered with the MDCN and possess at least 12 years of experience following their post-graduation.
Furthermore, a CMD should be a member of either the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria or the West African Postgraduate Medical College, or possess a comparable qualification approved by the MDCN. The role also demands a minimum of five years of experience as a medical consultant.
Only medical professionals are entitled to use the CMD designation
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Professor of Paediatrics Afolabi Lesi stated that someone without a medical background cannot serve as a CMD, and emphasized that the training required for plastic surgery is conducted by plastic surgeons or individuals who have received specialized training in cosmetic procedures.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services) from the University of Lagos stated, “It depends on his certification and what he is actually practicing. I can't comment on that. However, plastic surgery is typically performed by plastic surgeons.”
If an individual is not eligible to perform a task, it is referred to as quackery. That sums it up. If you haven't received proper training for a job and you're performing it, you're practicing as a quack.
We are aware that nurses work in nursing homes, which falls within their area of expertise. However, when they manage these facilities, they typically do not refer to themselves as the 'CMD.' Instead, they may use different titles to indicate that they are in charge. But when the term 'Chief Medical Director' is used, it specifically refers to someone who is medically trained and possesses the required experience.
From his side, Dr. Kelechi Okoro said, “CMD stands for Chief Medical Director. It may also be referred to as CMO—Chief Medical Officer. This role is exclusively for someone who has an MBBS, MD, or DO degree, has finished medical training, and is licensed to practice medicine. Nurses, pharmacists, dentists, medical laboratory scientists, and others cannot occupy this position unless they are also qualified medical doctors.”
In response, Odejide highlighted that Adeyemo is a certified nurse and has consistently worked within his professional boundaries.
He does not carry out surgical procedures that are exclusive to doctors. He is a certified pre-operative nurse, which allows him to support in surgical operations. All treatments provided at Elysian Sculpt were conducted by a skilled medical group headed by surgeons.
"Mr. Adeyemo is a certified and authorized nurse practitioner who has presented himself as such in various publications and media outlets over the years. He holds positions including health system strategist, healthcare management advisor, and facility developer, roles that do not necessitate a medical degree but require strong operational skills, adherence to regulations, and leadership abilities," she stated.
MDCN mum
A call placed to the MDCN's Public Affairs Office was made, and a message sent to the council's official X account remained unanswered as of Thursday night.
In the same way, an email sent to the address listed on the MDCN website remained unanswered at the time this report was submitted.
Nevertheless, a senior representative from the Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency informed Sunday PUNCH that the agency will only take action following formal complaints that have been submitted.
"If there is a petition outlining the situation at the health facility, we will take action and carry out an investigation," the source stated.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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