Suspected fake doctor remanded in custody

A Magistrate court at Akatsi has remanded Michael Acheampong, 28, in police custody for false assumption of professional title as medical officer and illegal practice of medicine.

His plea was not taken by the court, presided over by Mr Daniel Dorkpor, and he was remanded, pending investigations into allegations that the accused practised in some private clinics.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector E.Y. Ashigbe of the Akatsi Police said last year the accused falsely introduced himself to the medical directors of the Comboni Hospital at Sogakope that he was a medical practitioner and was allowed to practise for four months at a great risk to patients.

He said the accused left the hospital when the management became suspicious of his output but be continued with the illegal practice at various hospitals in the area.

The prosecutor said the Medical and Dental Council had information about the illegal and dangerous activities of the accused and started keeping surveillance on him.

He told the court that on February 5, a principal investigator of the council, Superintendent Ben Ameleke (retd), armed with information that the accused was at the Hoggar clinic, a private Clinic at Akatsi, tracked him down with the help of the police while he was carrying out a surgical operation on a hernia patient.

Chief Inspector Ashigbe said the police arrested him and during interrogation he admitted that he had no medical training or certificate and was not also registered with the Medical and Dental Council.