A Nigerian expatriate is facing charges for illicitly adopting a female identity to gain employment at a UK hospital.
Lucius Njoku, 33, allegedly appropriated the identity of a female acquaintance to care for gravely ill patients in the A&E department of the NHS facility, where convicted nurse Lucy Letby operated, according to court testimony.Reports indicate that he utilized the name of agency nurse Joyce George to serve as a healthcare assistant at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester.
Despite donning the woman’s NHS name tag, which included a clear photograph, Njoku went unnoticed by his colleagues, as revealed in Chester Magistrates’ Court. During the span of two months from February to April, he washed and dressed patients and conducted observations. His scheme unraveled when a wary patient confronted Njoku, leading the imposter to claim: ‘My name is Joyce – but I am a man.
‘Investigations showed that George, 32, another Nigerian citizen residing in nearby Ellesmere Port, secured employment at the hospital through an external agency after a successful interview. However, she permitted Njoku to cover her shifts under her name, and it remains unclear how he acquired his NHS uniform. Police executed a search at George’s residence, where they discovered Njoku.
Confiscated mobile phones from both suspects revealed text exchanges concerning shifts at the Countess. Both individuals opted not to provide comments during police questioning. In Chester Magistrates’ Court, Njoku, who resides with his NHS worker spouse at a different location in Ellesmere Port, acknowledged guilt for fraud by false representation. He received a 16-week suspended prison sentence for 12 months, along with 80 hours of unpaid labor. Additionally, he is required to pay £239 in costs and a surcharge.
It is uncertain if he will face deportation, as he relies on his wife’s work visa. George fled the UK post her fraud charge and is believed to have returned to Nigeria, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant. Prosecutor Lisa McGuire detailed how George secured a position at the Countess through an external agency after an interview. Ms. McGuire stated: ‘She allowed Njoku to cover her shifts using her name.’Fortunately, no damage occurred, and there were no grievances regarding Njoku’s performance. However, the access issue raises significant concerns.’Njoku, who arrived in Britain as a student, had no prior convictions. His attorney, Steven Alis, expressed surprise that Njoku’s presence ‘was not detected by management. Mr. Alis noted that Njoku is a qualified nurse, but the ‘safeguarding checks had not yet been completed’ during his shifts.
He added: ‘He recognizes the seriousness of the situation. Subsequently, he has received the necessary authorization but opted not to pursue work in the care sector. Instead, he is now employed at Vauxhall through an agency. Mr. Alis mentioned that Njoku’s spouse is a healthcare worker who arrived in the UK as a dependent on his original visa, while Njoku currently depends on her visa for employment purposes.
The defense acknowledged that if Njoku is allowed to remain in Britain, ‘he may come to the attention of the Home Office if he commits further offenses.
During sentencing on Thursday, District Judge Jack McGarva stated to Njoku: ‘You deceived your way into a position that necessitates safeguarding checks.’The judge remarked: ‘That undermines the system. Although you were qualified and performed the work without issue, that is beside the point.