The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 3 for the continuation of the trial of a woman identified as Miriam Emenike Ugochi, accused of parading herself as a medical doctor.
The 49-year-old, currently remanded in prison custody, is facing a four-count charge brought against her by the Inspector General of Police.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding over the case, ordered that a hearing notice be served on the defendant, after she failed to appear in court when the matter was called up. Her counsel was also absent.
The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/534/2024, alleges that the defendant falsely presented herself as a licensed medical doctor.
According to the prosecution, she presented to law enforcement a forged practicing license bearing the name Emerikwe Miriam Kechi, with folio number 58357, claiming she graduated from Imo State University.
The offences, said to have been committed on July 24, 2024, in Abuja, are in violation of Section 1(2) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
It was further alleged that Ugochi misrepresented herself both locally and internationally as a qualified medical practitioner, a claim the prosecution says is entirely false and punishable under the same section of the law.
In addition, the charge alleges that the defendant also posed as the Chief Medical Director of Mercy & Grace Ministry Hospital, with the intent to deceive and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Due to her absence in court, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned proceedings. Mr. Chris Okoye, representing the nominal complainant, reminded the court that it is the duty of the correctional facility to ensure the defendant is brought to court.
Meanwhile, prosecution counsel Mr. Stanley Nwodo expressed readiness to proceed with the trial, stating, “The defendant has been properly arraigned before this court and trial has commenced. We have taken the PW1 and PW2 respectively. So, today, we intended to carry on with the trial by calling the third witness, but unfortunately, the defendant was not produced in court and that brought about the adjournment to June 3.”
On the reason behind the defendant’s absence, Nwodo explained, “That is the problem with the Correctional Centres. I don’t know why the defendant was not in court today, probably, it might be the problem of the Correctional Centre.”
