A Lagos-based nurse and midwife, Femi Adeyemo, who is widely known as “Psalmist Nifemi,” has become the subject of controversy after at least two women claimed he misrepresented himself as a medical doctor and performed botched plastic surgeries that left them in pain and with unsatisfactory results. As victims share their distressing stories, the clinic at the center of the scandal is trying to protect its reputation.
On the evening of November 2, as many people were getting ready for bed, shocking allegations emerged on X (formerly Twitter) against Femi Adeyemo, a nurse and midwife known as Psalmist Nifemi. A tweet by Dr Princess Williams (@williams___p), a medical doctor, accused Adeyemo of conducting flawed plastic surgeries on women, which allegedly resulted in multiple deaths. The post, which had over 100,000 views by Wednesday evening, included disturbing images and videos showing women with signs of necrosis and poorly executed procedures.
Adeyemo, the owner of a private clinic in Lagos called Elysian Sculpt, is reportedly popular among “dolls,” a term used in some cosmetic surgery communities to describe clients undergoing aesthetic procedures. However, there have been claims that some patients who visited his clinic for plastic surgery had negative experiences afterward.
“I have more than 30 victims,” Williams alleged. “He lures them, promises them relationships, asks them to bring other girls for his brand, and then dumps them afterwards.” She also shared a photo of Adeyemo wearing a uniform with the title ‘CMD’ (Chief Medical Director) embroidered on it, suggesting that he did not have the necessary medical qualifications for such a title.
According to Williams, her motivation to expose what she calls quackery came from a personal loss. Her brother died four weeks ago due to improper medical treatment in her hometown. He suffered from an intestinal puncture, and the lack of timely scans contributed to his death.
The Lagos State Police Command responded to Williams’ viral post, urging victims to report their cases at the nearest police station so investigations could begin. However, Moyo Odejide, the legal counsel for Adeyemo and Elysian Sculpt, described the claims as “baseless and inaccurate.”
Patient dies, clinic self-closes
When Sunday PUNCH reached out to Williams, she reiterated that most of Adeyemo’s alleged victims were too afraid to speak out because he reportedly warned them that seeking treatment elsewhere could worsen their conditions. However, she claimed that a woman named Uju Nsodum was the latest victim who died after undergoing a liposuction procedure at the facility last week.
The hospital management issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the patient’s passing and extending condolences to the family. They stated that the procedure was conducted by a fully qualified and licensed surgical team and that all protocols were followed. They denied the allegations and said they would temporarily close the clinic while cooperating with any official inquiries.
Odejide clarified that Ms. Uju Nsodum did not pass away at Elysian Sculpt but rather in the ICU of another hospital. She emphasized that the clinic is managed by highly qualified professionals and that the matter is under investigation.
‘I developed necrosis’
Patricia Eke, one of the alleged victims, shared her experience with Sunday PUNCH. She found out about Adeyemo through a surgery group where he advertised. Eke opted for liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift, but later discovered that Adeyemo was not a board-certified surgeon. She recounted the risks involved in the procedure, including an awake surgery that she believed should have been canceled due to her cough.
Eke experienced complications after the procedure, including tightness around her hips and eventual necrosis. She posted about her condition on social media, where others informed her that she had developed necrosis. Despite this, Adeyemo allegedly blamed her for the condition, claiming it was due to her actions.
‘Dolls’ and cosmetic procedures
While statistics on plastic surgery in Nigeria are limited, most studies indicate that the majority of patients are young to middle-aged women seeking procedures like liposuction and buttock augmentation. Social media plays a significant role in promoting these procedures, influencing demand and serving as a platform for surgeons to showcase their services.
Another allegation
Anita Dike, another alleged victim, also developed necrosis after undergoing liposuction, which she attributed to Adeyemo. She described how she was lured into the procedure through a community where Adeyemo offered free surgeries in exchange for a deposit. She was required to send videos of herself, which were then used to select participants.
Dike recounted the procedure, during which she experienced pain despite anesthesia. She later discovered that Adeyemo was performing the surgery alone and made false claims about her condition. She eventually sought treatment for the necrosis, which she believes was caused by the procedure.
Alleged demands
Eke and Dike both claimed that Adeyemo used “dolls” to attract new patients through social media, even though they faced complications after their procedures. Dike mentioned that when she confided in the admin of the surgery community, Adeyemo insulted her and demanded additional money, threatening to withhold support if she did not comply.
Adeyemo’s legal response
In a letter sent to Sunday PUNCH, Odejide explained that patient confidentiality prevents the clinic from publicly addressing the allegations. She emphasized that medical and nursing ethics require patient confidentiality, and without consent, the clinic cannot disclose details to refute the claims.
She urged the accusers to identify themselves and report to the appropriate authorities. If the allegations have merit, the individuals should submit sworn affidavits, produce verifiable medical records, and file formal complaints with the relevant authorities.
Dr and CMD titles
Several sources accused Adeyemo of falsely claiming to be a medical doctor and a CMD, despite being only a registered nurse and midwife. In a video clip from a deleted YouTube podcast, Adeyemo was introduced as “Dr” by a gospel singer, a title he did not dispute.
According to the Nigerian Medical Council, only registered medical practitioners can hold the CMD title. Adeyemo’s LinkedIn profile indicated that he studied Nursing at Obafemi Awolowo University and worked as a Ward Manager in Lagos. However, his claims during the interview suggested he began medical practice while still pursuing his degree.
‘Only doctors can claim CMD title’
Professors and medical experts emphasized that non-doctors cannot hold the CMD title. Plastic surgery is typically performed by trained plastic surgeons, and those without proper training are considered quacks. Adeyemo’s legal counsel, Odejide, defended him, stating that he operates within his scope as a licensed nurse and does not perform surgical procedures reserved for physicians.
MDCN mum
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has not responded to inquiries about Adeyemo’s credentials. A source from the Lagos State Health Facilities Monitoring and Accreditation Agency stated that the agency will act only upon official petitions detailing the situation at the health facility.
