Fake medical director jailed 10 years in Benin....!!!

An Evbuoriaria Magistrates' Court sitting in Benin City
yesterday, sentenced a 32-year-old man, Jeremiah
Onovwata to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour for floating an illegal clinic and parading himself as Chief Medical Director.

The accused was jailed without an option of fine for floating an unregistered private clinic, "Divine Maternity and Clinic, which metamorphosed into "Divine Nursing Home and Maternity," located on Siluko Road, Benin, where he was said to have impersonated as the Chief Medical Director.

Special grade Magistrate, Patricia Igho Braimoh, while
sentencing the accused said the court was satisfied with the, "uncontradicted prosecution evidence" which was corroborated by the evidence of the defence.

The court said the accused was therefore, guilty as charged. The accused, who was found guilty on all the five counts on which he was arraigned, would however, serve only two of the10 years jail term, because the sentences would run concurrently.

Citing relevant sections of the law, the Magistrate said the convict was pardoned for the same offence in 2009, having deposed to an undertaking never to impersonate as the medical director at the clinic and maternity, only to be apprehended for the same offence.

Defence Counsel, Mr Evidence Ejemu Etimbowei, however, pleaded for allocutus to enable the accused who claimed to have attended Edo State School of Health Technology, Benin, meet his family's needs.

Dr (Mrs) Helen Eboreime, Director of Medical services, described the judgement as appropriate considering the determination of the committee to rid the state of quack doctors.

Eboreime, who is also the chairman of Medical Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the regulatory body of medical practice in the state, urged health practitioners operating in the state without appropriate licence and health practitioners operating beyond their scope of training to retrace their steps.

She observed that most health facilities in the state were operated by male Nurses and other health workers and encouraged the public to always endeavour to seek wise counsel before taking crucial decisions concerning their health.

Keep staying Healthy, Informed and Entertained....