The Bayelsa State Police Command says its operatives have apprehended a suspected fake surgeon Akpoviri Vincent Jimmy, aged 29, The Nation Newspaper reports.
The suspect, an indigene of Irhodo community of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, was nabbed over alleged impersonation of medical practitioner, Dr. Charles Umeh, serving in Taraba State.
The suspect, who claimed to be a graduate of Psychology from the Delta State University, Abraka, was arrested at a popular private hospital, identified as Tobis Hospital, while trying to secure an employment as a surgeon.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mike Okoli, while parading the suspect before reporters at the State Police Headquarters Yenagoa, on Wednesday, said the imposter had been seeking employment from hospitals within Delta and Bayelsa states as a medical doctor.
Okoli, represented by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Asinim Butswat, said there were several reported concerns about the suspect’s inability to use medical terminologies during test diagnosis as a medical doctor.
The CP said the development made people to raise suspicion over his medical qualifications, which later led to his arrest.
Speaking on the development, Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Wisdom Sawyer, expressed the state government’s resolve to deliver quality healthcare services to its citizens; hence it does not give any room for quacks in the state.
Also Speaking, the Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Bayelsa State Branch, Dr Ngowari Torunana, said upon the arrest of the suspect, they contacted the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria which confirmed that the suspect was an imposter.
The suspect, Jimmy, however, admitted that he was not the owner of the medical certificate in his possession.
He confessed that he had been using a friend’s certificate to seek job as a medical doctor.
He denied knowledge of impersonation, claiming “I met the owner of the credentials in a bus while travelling to Abuja and we took some pictures.”
“While transferring the pictures to me, he also transferred the copies of his credentials. This is the first time I am using it.”
