A 39-year-old man arrested for allegedly posing as a medical doctor in Cross River State has confessed to treating at least 15 patients over the years after dropping out of medical school.

The suspect, Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, was arrested by operatives of the Uwanse Police Division in Calabar South LGA following a complaint by one Mrs Edemawan Samuel, who accused him of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and operating an illegal mobile clinic.

Police alleged that Ekpeme fraudulently obtained N500,000 from the woman after promising to secure employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

In his confession, the suspect said he dropped out of medical school but bought medical equipment with the hope of raising enough money to return and complete his studies.

“If I can raise money to return to medical school, I will. So I bought medical equipment for testing so that whenever patients come, I can use them to diagnose them. Often, when one patient sees that my treatment is effective, the person recommends another,” he said.

He claimed that between 2014 and 2026, he treated at least 15 patients despite not being a licensed medical practitioner.

The suspect also admitted collecting N500,000 from the complainant over the promised UCTH jobs but said he diverted the money to settle a debt of N700,000.

“I was already owing somebody N700,000 and they had been disturbing me to pay. They even seized my Android phone, so I used the money to offset the debt,” he confessed.

The complainant said she became suspicious when the suspect demanded an additional N40,000, claiming it was needed to facilitate banking transactions for the supposed employment.

“When he demanded the N40,000, I had a strong feeling he just wanted to collect the money and chop. I contacted my brother, who said he was a scammer, and we reported the matter to the police,” she said.

She further alleged that the suspect had administered several injections on her and her two children while presenting himself as a qualified doctor.

Confirming the arrest, the Cross River State Police Command said preliminary investigations showed the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and unlawfully obtained N500,000 from the complainant under the guise of securing employment for her children at UCTH.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said exhibits linked to the alleged offences had been recovered and that the suspect remained in custody.

Akata also cautioned members of the public against patronising unlicensed medical practitioners. (Daily Trust, but headline reworked)