Alleged fake medical doctor: Absence of accused lady stalls trial

… Court Adjourns To June 3

By Vivian Okejeme Vivian

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has adjourned further proceedings in the trial of a 49 year old woman, Miriam Emenike Ugochi, to June 3.

At a resumed trial, the defendant and her lawyer were conspicuously absent in court.

Barr. Chris Okoye, who held brief for the nominal complainant, told the court that the

Defendant was not produced in court by the prison authority.

Consequently, the trial Judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had to adjourn the matter to June 3, for continuation of trial.

Also, the court ordered that hearing notice be served on the Defendant before the adjourned date.

Specifically, Miriam Emenike Ugochi, is being prosecuted by the Inspector General of Police on a 4-count charge, for unlawfully presenting to the Police a practicing license as a medical Doctor who graduated from Imo State University with the name Emerikwe Miriam Kechi, with folio no 58357, knowing same is forged.

The offence according to the Police, is punishable under section 1(2) of miscellaneous offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The criminal charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/534/2024, showed that the Defendant committed the offence in Abuja in July 2024.

More so, the Police told the court that Miriam Emenike Ugochi, on or about the 24th day of July, 2024, at Abuja, did unlawfully represent herself as a Medical Doctor knowing same is false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) of miscellaneous offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

It was alleged that Miriam Emenike Ugochi did make people to act upon her as a genuine Medical Doctor within and outside Nigeria, of which she knew same to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) of miscellaneous offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Similarly, the charge stated that Miriam Emenike Ugochi, in July 2024, unlawfully and with intent to cheat did represent herself as a Medical Doctor, who graduated from Imo State University and also as Chief Medical Director of Mercy & Grace Ministry Hospital, knowing same to be false and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) of miscellaneous offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Fielding questions from newsmen after the sitting, police prosecution counsel, Stanley Nwodo Esq, hinted that he had called two witnesses already and intended to call the prosecution’s third witness, but for the absence of the defendant in court.

“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 why the defendant was not in court for continuation of here trial, the police lawyer said, “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” Nwodo stated. END.