Man Arrested in Cross River Over Fake Doctor Job Scam

(police arrest. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

A 39-year-old man named Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme has been detained by the Cross River State Police Command on suspicion of posing as a doctor and scamming a woman out of N500,000 by promising to get her children jobs at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Calabar, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the command's spokesperson, revealed the arrest.

According to the police, Ekpeme was apprehended by officers attached to the Uwanse Division in Calabar South Local Government Area following a petition submitted by Mrs Edemawan Samuel.

Samuel reportedly accused the suspect of presenting himself as a medical doctor and convincing her to pay N500,000 after assuring her that he could facilitate job placements for her children at UCTH.

Eitokpah said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly used this false claim to obtain the money from the complainant, adding that investigators had recovered exhibits believed to be connected to the alleged offences, while the suspect remains in police custody.

The Cross River State Police Command disclosed that it had arrested Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, aged 39, over allegations bordering on impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.

The police spokesperson noted that the Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, had ordered a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the suspect's activities and identify any possible accomplices or additional victims, adding that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations if sufficient evidence is established.

He said the command was conducting a discreet investigation to uncover the full extent of the suspect's activities and identify any other victims or accomplices, promising further updates as the investigation progresses.

The development comes weeks after the Edo State Police Command arrested a 46-year-old man, Osaze Okungbowa, for allegedly posing as a medical doctor, delivering babies and traff!cking newborns.

Okungbowa was reportedly arrested after a woman, Princess Oke, informed police that a baby she delivered under his care had gone missing, prompting an investigation.