By Our reporter
A 39-year-old man, Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, has been arrested by operatives of the Cross River State Police Command for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor and operating an illegal mobile clinic in Calabar.
The arrest was carried out by officers of the Uwanse Division following a petition by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel. She accused Ekpeme of posing as a medical practitioner and obtaining money from her under false pretences.
According to the complainant, Ekpeme collected N500,000 from her with the promise of securing jobs for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH. She also alleged that he went further to administer injections to members of her family during his visits.
In his statement to the police, Ekpeme admitted that he was not a qualified doctor. He said he had dropped out of medical school but decided to buy basic medical equipment to treat patients so he could raise funds to return to school.
He told investigators that his practice grew through referrals. “Often, when one patient sees that my treatment is effective, the person recommends another,” he said. He claimed he had treated about 15 patients between 2014 and 2026 through the mobile setup.
On the money allegedly collected for the UCTH jobs, Ekpeme confessed to diverting it. He said he was indebted to the tune of N700,000 and was under pressure to repay. “They even seized my Android phone, so I used the money to offset the debt,” he stated.
Mrs. Samuel said her doubts grew when Ekpeme later asked for an additional N40,000 for bank transactions related to the supposed jobs. “When he demanded the N40,000, I had a strong feeling he just wanted to collect the money and chop,” she told the police.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Akata, confirmed the arrest and said exhibits were recovered from the suspect. He urged members of the public to avoid patronising quacks and to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services.
About The Author
