Operatives of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested a 39-year-old man, Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, for allegedly posing as a medical doctor and defrauding a woman of N500,000 with a promise to secure employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
The Command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Calabar.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested by officers attached to the Uwanse Division in Calabar South Local Government Area following a petition by Mrs Edemawan Samuel.
The complainant alleged that Ekpeme falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and convinced her to pay N500,000 after promising to facilitate employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
Eitokpah said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money.
He added that detectives recovered exhibits believed to be connected to the alleged offences, while the suspect remains in police custody.
The statement said: “The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, male, aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and the unlawful use of medical equipment.”
It added: “The suspect was arrested by police officers attached to Uwanse Division, Calabar South Local Government Area, following a complaint lodged by Mrs Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.”
According to the police: “Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money.
“Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.”
Eitokpah said the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, had directed investigators to carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine the full scope of the suspect’s activities and identify any other victims or accomplices.
He added: “The Command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices.
“Upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.
“Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.”
The police also recalled that officers of the Edo State Police Command on July 4 arrested a 46-year-old man, Osaze Okungbowa, for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor, delivering babies and trafficking newborns after a complaint that a baby delivered under his care had gone missing.
