By Yusuf Mohammed
Adewale Kudabo, a Nigerian who moved to the United Kingdom with his family in search of greener pastures, likely never imagined that a kiss would land him behind bars.
While working as a healthcare assistant at York Hospital, Kudabo was assigned to care for a patient in significant pain. According to prosecutor Henry Fernandez, after bathing the patient, Kudabo kissed her on the lips. The patient, although in pain and unable to fully avoid the advance, moved away slightly.
Fernandez said the patient was left “confused and uncomfortable” by the unsolicited kiss. Days later, Kudabo reportedly asked the same patient if she wanted another bed bath and again attempted to kiss her.
Kudabo pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault at the start of his trial in April. On June 10, Judge Alex Menary sentenced him to one year in prison, stating he had “abused the trust” placed in him as a healthcare professional. Kudabo must serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for release.
The court also heard that the victim now suffers from anxiety and flashbacks related to the incident.
The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which manages York Hospital, offered a public apology to the victim and confirmed that Kudabo left his position shortly after the offences.
Kudabo’s lawyer, Jerry Sodipe, said his client had no prior convictions and showed remorse for his actions. “He acknowledges his behavior was inappropriate and unacceptable,” Sodipe said, adding that Kudabo was moved by the patient’s suffering but reacted in an unprofessional manner.
Kudabo’s case serves as a stark warning to migrants chasing better opportunities abroad: boundaries must be respected at all times. In professional settings, there is no room for misjudgments. Let this be a reminder—when in doubt, be formal.
