The police on Tuesday arraigned fake doctor, Martins Okpe, who had served in that capacity in the Federal Ministry of Health for nine years before he was caught June this year.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole has fixed ruling on the accused person’s bail application till later today (Tuesday).
The 44 years old was arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court in Abuja, where the accused pleaded not guilty to the five counts of impersonation and stealing of certificates belonging to Mr. Daniel Davidson George.
Okpe was accused of stealing certificates of exemption of the National Youth Service Corps, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), all belonging to George.
The accused allegedly claimed ownership of the certificates and tendered them before the Federal Civil Service Commission in Ebonyi State upon which he was offered a temporary letter of appointment dated August 30, 2006.
A recent verification exercise of professional skills of residence doctors conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on June 4, 2015 was said to have revealed the accused person’s true identity.
The bearded Okpe stood ram rod in the dock throughout the 30 minutes period the proceedings lasted on Tuesday.
He wore a white T-shirt embossed with ‘Africa Against Ebola’, a theme which relates to the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Health’s ad hoc committee on Ebola Virus Disease in which he served during the outbreak of the disease in the country last year.
One of the counts against him read, “That you Martins Ugwu Okpe, male, aged 44 years, of the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on or about March 13, 2006 at unspecified hour in Karu Abuja of the Abuja Division committed stealing; and did steal Certificate of Bachelor of Medicine of Surgery and National Youth Service Corps certificate of exemption dated February 8, 2005 with serial number 000027400 all property of Mr. Daniel Davidson George, being the certificate awarded to him by Academic’s Senate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State dated August 29, 2002 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383 and punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Law.”
Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Malik Taiwo, did not oppose the accused person’s bail application after the arraignment on Tuesday.
Justice Kolawole therefore directed his lawyer, Mr. O.O Otemu and the prosecution to meet and draw up a unanimous bail terms which the court would adopt in granting bail to the accused person.
The court is to reconvene later today.
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