A 42-year-old Nigerian care worker, Bilikesu olangunju had pleaded guilty to the ill-treatment and willful neglect of a vulnerable elderly man in her care. The case, which has continued to draw outrage in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria, remains under judicial review following a delay in sentencing….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>
Olagunju, who resides on Congress Road in Abbey Wood, London, was captured on a CCTV camera on December 24, 2024, violently dragging her elderly client, John Attard, by the neck and across the floor at his residence in Bexley, Kent. The shocking footage was obtained after the victim’s son—a serving officer with the Metropolitan Police—installed hidden surveillance equipment in the home due to concerns about his father’s worsening condition.
The disturbing video quickly went viral and drew wide criticism from human rights groups, elder care advocates, and members of the Nigerian diaspora, who condemned the conduct and called for justice.
Following an investigation, Olagunju was charged with ill-treatment or wilful neglect of an individual lacking mental capacity, a serious offense under UK law. She appeared before Woolwich Crown Court in May 2025 and pleaded guilty to the charges.
However, during her sentencing appearance on May 7, the court discovered that she lacked legal representation, prompting presiding Judge Charlotte Welsh to postpone the hearing. The judge advised Olagunju to seek legal aid and proper counsel, emphasizing the severity of the offense and the importance of fair legal proceedings. She was subsequently granted bail, and the sentencing was adjourned to allow her time to secure a lawyer.
As of June 30, 2025, Punch Newspaper reports that no final sentence has been delivered, and the court is still awaiting her legal team’s appearance to proceed. The delay has further stirred public interest, as many continue to question how someone charged with such a grave offense could remain unsentenced months after entering a guilty plea.
Meanwhile, the case has reignited debates surrounding the training, screening, and oversight of care workers, particularly those recruited from overseas. Advocates stress the need for both the UK and Nigeria to enforce stricter regulations to ensure elderly and vulnerable individuals receive safe and compassionate care.
The National Senior Citizens Centre of Nigeria and other human rights bodies have also emphasized that incidents like this tarnish the image of dedicated, law-abiding caregivers while pointing to the dangers of untrained or poorly supervised care providers.
As the court prepares to resume proceedings in the coming weeks, the public continues to watch closely. The eventual sentencing of Bilikesu Olagunju is expected to set a precedent for similar cases, both in the UK and abroad, involving the abuse of vulnerable individuals under professional care..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>