Medical doctor remanded in prison over N32m fraud

An Ogwashi-Uku Magistrate Court in Delta State on Thursday remanded a 47-year-old medical doctor (name withheld) and another in prison custody for allegedly defrauding the Hospital Management Board Corporative Society the sum of N32m.

The presiding magistrate of the court, Mrs. Ann Okonkwo Okanume, who remanded the accused persons in Ogwashi-Uku prisons, said that the two suspects had been facing a three-count of conspiracy, fraud, aiding and abetting, even though they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Okanume ordered that the two suspects be remanded in Ogwashi-Uku prisons considering the overwhelming evidence against them while their case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

Mrs. Okanume therefore adjourned the case till Friday 26th, 2016, for mention.

It was gathered that the two suspects were brought to court for allegedly collecting the sum of N32m from the HMB Corporative Society on false pretence of securing 10 acres of land in Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state for members of the cooperative society.

The accused medical doctor attached to Warri Central Hospital, sources said, allegedly hoodwinked members of the society that the 10 acres of land were ready, whereas while it was being inspected and shared to members, they were chased away by the real owners of the land.

It was further gathered that all efforts to retrieve the N32 million from the suspects proved abortive, even as the intervention of the Management of HMB did not move the suspects to refund the money.

The senior management employee on the board, who did not want his name in the print, confirmed that the suspects were taken to court by members of the cooperative society after exhausting all avenues for settlement.

Meanwhile, rats and mosquitoes have allegedly sacked patients at the Delta State owned Bomadi General Hospital.

While the workers and patients have continued to raise the alarm over the poor health care facilities, the hospital has been infested with mosquitoes and deadly rats that might pose the danger of the spread of Lassa fever-carrier pests.

A human right activist, Mr. Edward Opukiri, said, “My wife was admitted into the hospital due to ill health. When I visited her, my experiences for the two days l spent with her were pathetic.

“There was no light, no water around the hospital premises. When the rechargeable lamp goes off, rats come in large numbers and spread everywhere. There are so many rats in the hospital, including mosquitoes. These might cause Lassa fever if not prevented.”

Investigation revealed that the hospital morgue is an eyesore while deceased persons were dried in the sun outside the mortuary.

In most cases, those who visit the hospital, according to sources, perceive offensive odour everywhere in the premises.

However, efforts to speak with the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, proved abortive as he retorted, “How did you get my number? Who gave you my number? I cannot speak with you now because I don’t know who gave you my number in the first place.”

Sources said that the state government had expressed its determination to renovate the hospital to a modern standard.

Source: Punch