A 39-year-old man arrested for allegedly posing as a medical doctor in Cross River State has confessed to treating at least 15 patients despite lacking a medical licence, the police have said.
The suspect, identified as Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, was arrested by operatives of the Uwanse Police Division in Calabar South Local Government Area following a petition accusing him of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretences and operating an illegal mobile clinic.
According to the Cross River State Police Command, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect also collected N500,000 from a woman after allegedly promising to secure employment for her two children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Speaking during interrogation, Ekpeme reportedly admitted that he had attended medical school but dropped out before completing his studies.
He said he subsequently purchased medical diagnostic equipment and began attending to patients in a bid to raise funds to return to school.
“I intend to return to medical school if I can get the money. I bought medical testing equipment so I could diagnose patients whenever they came. When people recover after my treatment, they usually recommend others to me,” he reportedly told investigators.
The suspect further admitted that between 2014 and 2026, he treated no fewer than 15 patients without being licensed to practise medicine.
He also confessed to collecting N500,000 from the complainant over the promised UCTH jobs but claimed he diverted the money to settle an existing debt of N700,000.
“I owed some people N700,000 and they kept demanding payment. They even seized my Android phone, so I used the money to clear the debt,” he reportedly said.
The complainant, Mrs Edemawan Samuel, said she became suspicious after the suspect demanded an additional N40,000, claiming it was needed to facilitate banking transactions linked to the purported appointments.
She said, “When he asked for another N40,000, I suspected he only wanted to collect more money. I discussed it with my brother, who said he was a fraudster, and we reported the matter to the police.”
Samuel also alleged that the suspect, while posing as a qualified medical doctor, administered injections to her and her two children.
Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said exhibits linked to the alleged offences had been recovered, while the suspect remained in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations.
Akata warned members of the public against seeking treatment from unlicensed medical practitioners, urging residents to verify the credentials of healthcare providers before patronising them.
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