A Nigerian man, identified as Lucius Njoku, has been sentenced in the United Kingdom for impersonating a female nurse to work at an NHS hospital.

Njoku, 33, used the identity of his female friend, Joyce George, to secure shifts as a healthcare assistant at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire. He worked undetected for several weeks despite wearing George’s NHS name badge, which displayed her photograph.

His deception came to light only after a patient confronted him about his identity. According to The Telegraph UK, Njoku reportedly replied, “My name is Joyce but I am a man.”

Following the incident, hospital officials reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed that Njoku had worked multiple shifts under George’s name between February and April 2024.

Investigations revealed that George, 32, also a Nigerian national, had obtained her job through an agency after a successful interview. She allegedly allowed Njoku to take over her shifts, though it remains unclear how he obtained an NHS uniform.

Police later raided George’s home, where Njoku was found. Prosecutors told the court that phones seized from both of them contained messages coordinating their work schedules.

At the Chester Magistrates’ Court, Njoku, who lives separately from his NHS worker wife,  pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

He was handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid community service. The court also directed him to pay £239 in costs and surcharge.

It is not yet known whether Njoku will face deportation, as he is currently listed as a dependant on his wife’s work visa.

Meanwhile, George fled the UK after being charged with fraud and is believed to have returned to Nigeria. Authorities have issued a warrant for her arrest.

Prosecutor Lisa McGuire told the court, “Njoku normally worked as Joyce George and Joyce George allowed this to happen and agreed to it. Both were interviewed, but initially gave ‘no comment’ responses. Miss George has since returned to Nigeria.”

Njoku’s solicitor, Steven Alis, said his client had no prior convictions and originally came to the UK as a student.

“Mr. Njoku came to this country as a student. There were financial difficulties, and while trying to sort them out, he obtained work. It’s surprising management didn’t notice, there were no complaints about his performance and he was qualified, though his safeguarding checks had not come through,” Alis said.

Delivering judgment, District Judge Jack McGarva condemned Njoku’s actions, noting the breach of the NHS’s safeguarding system.

“You deceived your way into a job that requires safeguarding checks and bypassed those checks. Although you were qualified and did the work without complaint, that is not the point,” the judge stated.

“Immediate custody could have been justified to deter others from undermining the DBS and safeguarding system. Fortunately, you have no prior convictions and were not assessed as a risk to any person.”