An Akure Chief Magistrate Court on Monday sentenced a Camerounian, Martins Duclarie, to two years in prison for illegally operating medical facilities in Ondo State.

 

According to facts before the court, Mr. Duclarie had been practising as a fake medical doctor for 30 years in the state.

 

He was said to have a network of hospitals in Akure, with branches in Ala and Ogbese towns without qualification and licenses.

 

According to the prosecution, his conduct contravened relevant sections of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and punishable under section 17(5) of the Medical Dental Practitioners Act Cap, laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Mr. Duclarie was arrested in April, 2014 and charged to court, on a single count charge of parading himself as a medical doctor without an official licence.

 

 

When his trial commenced on August 20, 2014, Police Corporal, Egunjobi Sunday; Director, Hospital Services, Hope Olajide; Ondo State Ministry of Health and Chairman Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Obaado Olatubosun; and the Assistant Registrar and Head of Inspectorate Division, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Henry Okwuokenye, stood as prosecution witnesses.

 

On the other hand, only Danladi Sunday, appeared as defence witness during the trial.

 

Delivering judgment on Monday, Magistrate, Olubunmi Dosunmi, declared Mr. Duclarie guilty of the offence.

 

Mr. Dosunmi said the prosecution counsel,Wale Bamisile, had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt and the accused was administering treatment to patients when he was not qualified.

 

The judge sentenced him to two years imprisonment, beginning from the date he was arraigned in Court.

 

By: Premium Times