Three Nigerian nurses—Rosemary Chukwuji-Ohanachum, Raji Olagunju, and Anthony Onuh—have been accused of negligence after a mental health patient, Hugo Flint Cahan, was strangled to death at an NHS facility in east London. The incident occurred at the Newham Mental Health Centre (NMHC), operated by the East London NHS Trust (ELFT), on the night of Mr Cahan’s death. CCTV footage and an inquest revealed that the 34-year-old patient was attacked by 22-year-old Rolando Torres-Pena while under staff supervision. Despite being on duty, the three Nigerian healthcare workers were found either asleep or absent from their posts during critical moments.
The investigation showed that Torres-Pena was seen pacing the corridor, appearing agitated, before entering Mr Cahan’s empty room. Footage captured him leaving the room later, visibly disturbed, suggesting the assault had already taken place. At the time, nurses Chukwuji-Ohanachum and Olagunju were inside a room with the door shut, while nursing assistant Onuh slept unauthorised for two hours in the therapy room. This lapse in vigilance raised serious concerns about patient safety protocols within the unit.
Mr Cahan was discovered unconscious at 03:19 by nurse Olagunju, who did not immediately call for emergency help but instead went to locate the night manager, Alex Obamwonyi, who was stationed on a different ward. Emergency services were finally alerted at 03:37, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) began only at 03:45. Despite efforts, Mr Cahan was pronounced dead at 04:41. His family has since expressed deep distress over what they describe as “dangerous” failures in care.
William Cahan, the deceased’s father, accused the staff of complacency and inadequate attention. He stated firmly that his son’s death was preventable if proper standards of care had been upheld. The East London NHS Trust acknowledged the tragedy and said it has launched a major initiative to improve inpatient culture, behaviour, and clinical practice across its facilities. However, the case has sparked widespread scrutiny over mental health service delivery and staff accountability in the UK.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in mental health institutions, particularly around staffing levels, supervision, and response times. As investigations continue, questions remain about whether systemic changes will be implemented to prevent similar tragedies. The case also underscores the importance of continuous training and oversight for all healthcare professionals, regardless of nationality or role.
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