Medical Doctor Arrested for Disclosing Patient’s Information Online

A medical doctor, Kadev Kenneth Kelvin, has been remanded in the federal correctional facility in Makurdi on allegations of cyber stalking. The Benue state Magistrate Court sitting in Makurdi remanded the accused after he made a Facebook post on March 12, 2023, where he revealed that he stitched the lacerated anus of the Benue State publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bemgba Iortyom, after he was sodomized in Abuja prison in 2017.

According to the first information report by the police, a criminal petition was received by the Commissioner of Police written by D.K Iorhemba and Co as Barrister and Solicitors on behalf of Bemgba Iortyom, the PDP Publicity Secretary, Benue State. The report stated that Kadev Kenneth Kelvin, a medical doctor who works at Kadev Health Systems Services of No.9 opposite Holy Covenant, Otukpo Road, Makurdi, made damaging comments about Bemgba on 12/03/2023 at about 11pm while chatting with one Gabriel Terungwa Shange. He was reported to have said, ‘my brother, if Bemgba Iortyom wants to go dirty, just inform me, the day he found out that, I was the medical doctor that stitched his lacerated anus when he was sodomized in Abuja prison in 2017, he blocked me.’

Following an investigation by the police, the medical doctor was arrested and the statement made on Facebook was screenshot for evidence, and he confessed to committing the said offense. The police said the offense contravenes section 24(1)(a)(b)(i) of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2015.

During the court hearing, no plea was taken for want of jurisdiction. The police prosecutor, Inspector S. O. Itodo, informed the court that the investigation into the matter was still in progress and asked for another date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

In conclusion, cyberstalking is a serious offense that can lead to severe consequences, as seen in the case of Kadev Kenneth Kelvin. It is important to note that social media platforms are not a place to make damaging comments or defame others, and users must exercise caution and restraint in their online interactions. It is essential to be mindful of the impact of our words and actions, both offline and online.