Fake Doctor Arrested in Akwa Ibom for Conducting Illegal Abortion

Strategic Insights -

The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a suspected fake doctor, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, who allegedly conducted an illegal abortion that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman named Blessing Etim. According to the police spokesperson, Timfon John, the suspect was a community health worker who managed the Full Life Medical Centre in Ikot Obio Odong village, and had been using the facility to conduct illegal medical services, including abortions. The incident occurred just days after the police arrested a man posing as an ophthalmologist who had assembled over 300 people and charged them N500 each to administer a concoction of olive oil, juice, and water as a cure for various eye conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • A suspected fake doctor, Sunday Okon Akpan, has been arrested in Akwa Ibom State for conducting an illegal abortion that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman named Blessing Etim.
  • The suspect was a community health worker who managed the Full Life Medical Centre in Ikot Obio Odong village and had been using the facility to conduct illegal medical services, including abortions.
  • The police spokesperson, Timfon John, reported that the suspect was not a licensed medical doctor or a nurse but a community health worker.
  • The suspect was believed to have been charging patients for abortions, despite the practice being prohibited in Nigeria, and punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
  • The police investigation revealed that the victim died due to post-abortion complications, and the suspect has been arrested in response to a report by the victim's mother.
  • The Full Life Medical Centre has been found deserted, and the body of the deceased has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy.
  • This incident occurred just days after the police arrested a man posing as an ophthalmologist for conducting fake medical services, including charging patients N500 each to administer a concoction of olive oil, juice, and water as a cure for various eye conditions.

Statistics:

  • 35: The age of the woman who died due to post-abortion complications after an illegal abortion.
  • 14: The maximum imprisonment term for anyone who performs an abortion in Nigeria, according to Section 228 of the country's Criminal Code Act.
  • 7: The imprisonment term for a woman who conducts her own abortion, as stated in Section 229 of the Criminal Code Act.
  • 3: The imprisonment term for those supplying abortion-related drugs or instruments in Nigeria, as stated in Section 230 of the Act.
  • N500: The amount charged by the fake ophthalmologist for administering a concoction of olive oil, juice, and water as a cure for various eye conditions.

Sources:

  • Premium Times, "Fake Doctor Arrested in Akwa Ibom for Conducting Illegal Abortion"
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com), "Fake Doctor Arrested in Akwa Ibom for Conducting Illegal Abortion"