Suspected fake Oyo fertility doctor nabbed

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old man, Adeniyi Benjamin, for allegedly operating an unlicensed medical facility and practising medicine without qualification in Ibadan.

The suspect was arrested on October 2 at Life Is Good Hospital in the Olodo area of the city by operatives of the command’s Monitoring Unit following intelligence on his activities.

This was contained in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

According to the police, Benjamin was found attending to patients and administering treatments, particularly for fertility-related conditions, despite allegedly not being a qualified medical doctor.

Items recovered from the facility included two weighing scales, four Quantum Magnetic Resonance Body Analysers, a stethoscope, a carton of assorted medicines and specimen bottles.

The statement quoted the suspect as confessing during preliminary investigation that he had been practising as a quack for about seven years.

It read, “During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to have been operating as a quack practitioner for about seven years and stated that he had been doing so despite not being a medical doctor and without possessing any licence whatsoever to practise medicine.

“He further stated that he specialises in fertility-related treatment, which he had been administering to patients at the facility.”

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Olayinka said the arrest raised concerns about the risks posed to members of the public who seek treatment from unqualified practitioners, particularly in sensitive areas such as fertility care.

The command urged residents to verify the professional credentials and registration status of individuals offering medical services before patronising them.

It also advised members of the public to report suspicious medical facilities or persons presenting themselves as medical practitioners without verifiable credentials to the police or relevant regulatory authorities.

The PPRO said investigation was ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspect’s activities and establish whether other persons were involved in the operation of the facility.

He added that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law.