The Bayelsa State as police authorities apprehended a fake medical doctor operating in Yenagoa, the state capital. The suspect, identified as Doubara Esamasuode, had been running an unlicensed medical practice under the name St. Maximilian Medical Centre. This fake doctor allegedly provided false treatments to unsuspecting patients, some of whom suffered severe consequences.
The arrest was carried out by officers from Zone 16 of the Nigeria Police Force, who paraded the suspect before the media at a press briefing on Thursday, August 29, 2024. According to the spokesperson of the zone, Superintendent of Police (SP) Emonena Gunn, Esamasuode had been operating without a valid medical license, deceiving many patients who came to his facility for treatment.
“The suspect was arrested on August 25, 2024, by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department,” SP Gunn revealed. “During a search of the premises, we recovered various medical items, including injection syringes, drugs, hospital equipment, fake convocation photographs, hospital folders, and over 200 ultrasound reports.”
The police spokesperson explained that Esamasuode had confessed to multiple crimes, including forgery, impersonation, and operating an illegal medical facility. “He is being presented to the media to send a clear message that criminal activities will not be tolerated within the zonal jurisdiction,” SP Gunn added. “The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will be charged to court in due course.”
The arrest of Esamasuode has brought to light the harrowing experiences of several victims who were misled by his fraudulent medical practice. One such victim, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted how she was lured to the fake doctor by a relative in her quest to conceive a child.
“I was trying to get pregnant, and a relation of my husband recommended this doctor,” she explained. “He assured me that I would conceive within three months after receiving treatment from him.”
The victim narrated how she was given an injection and instructed to follow a specific schedule to increase her chances of conception. However, after following the doctor’s instructions and paying N30,000 for the initial treatment, she discovered that the medication she had been given was not for pregnancy but was, in fact, a drug that stopped her menstrual period.
“He gave me a tablet called Primolut N, which I later found out was the reason my period stopped,” she said. “He told me I was pregnant, but when I went for a scan, it was negative. He kept giving excuses, saying it was a cryptic pregnancy.”
When the victim’s condition worsened, she sought further treatment and discovered the extent of the deception. “I started bleeding, and he referred me to someone else for a massage that cost N70,000. He then claimed I was carrying twins and that delivery would cost N5.6 million,” she recounted. “That’s when I knew something was wrong.”
Another victim shared a similarly distressing experience. After taking the drugs prescribed by the fake doctor, she suffered from severe bleeding that nearly cost her life. “My period ceased for six months, and then suddenly I started bleeding so heavily that I thought I was going to die,” she said.
When confronted with the evidence, Esamasuode admitted to the charges against him. He confessed to being a fake doctor and acknowledged that he had been running the illegal medical practice since 2019. Esamasuode also admitted to forging his medical credentials and claimed that a photographer mistakenly labeled one of his photographs as a convocation picture.
“For the medical items, I make use of them. I am a fake doctor,” Esamasuode confessed. “I started this business in 2019 after I got admission into the University of Abuja but could not continue school because of an accident.”
The suspect pleaded for mercy, expressing regret for his actions. However, the authorities have made it clear that they intend to pursue the case to its full extent to ensure justice is served.
SP Emonena Gunn emphasised the importance of public cooperation in preventing such crimes. “We urge the public to provide timely information that can aid in the investigation and apprehension of criminal elements,” he said. “This arrest is a testament to the ongoing work being done to maintain law and order and instil a sense of security within the zone.”
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), the body responsible for regulating medical practice in the country, has repeatedly warned the public to verify the credentials of any medical professional before seeking treatment. The council also maintains a registry of licensed practitioners, which can be accessed by the public.
