By Kelvin Obambon
Officers of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested a 39-year-old man, Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor, obtaining money under false pretenses, and unlawfully using medical equipment.
The arrest was carried out by police officers attached to the Uwanse Division in Calabar South following a formal complaint filed by one Mrs Edemawan Samuel.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, on Tuesday, the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical practitioner and fraudulently obtained N500,000 from Mrs. Samuel. Udeme had allegedly promised to secure employment positions for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
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Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect used fake medical credentials to deceive the victim into handing over the funds. Police Officers recovered several relevant exhibits linked to the crime during the initial operation, and Ekpeme remains in police custody.
Eitokpah stated that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s illegal activities and determine if additional victims or accomplices are involved.
The police confirmed that the suspect will be formally charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations if sufficient evidence is established.
