An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday sentenced a fake doctor, Olatide Emmanuel, to death by hanging for the murder of a woman.
The 48-year-old was arraigned in 2025 on a two-count charge of murder and impersonation.
According to the charge, Emmanuel allegedly murdered Bosede Falade on June 24, 2019, at Odo Ikole compound in Erinmope Ekiti. He was also accused of falsely presenting himself as a medical doctor on June 9, 2019, at Ajebamidele Street in Otun Ekiti.
Prosecutor Kunle-Shina Adeyemo told the court that the offences were contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
An eyewitness, Rev. Omotade, told police that the deceased’s husband contacted him to report that his wife had died during childbirth.
“On getting to the hospital, I saw the corpse on the stretcher while the self-acclaimed doctor stood beside it. When I examined the body, I noticed the operation had been carried out unprofessionally. I then alerted the police in Otun Ekiti to investigate the matter,” he said.
During the trial, the defendant told the court he had established a clinic in Erinmope Ekiti in 2019 after completing a nursing apprenticeship in Lagos State.
He claimed the deceased came to him when she was due to give birth.
“The deceased was not originally my patient but informed me she was due for delivery. After examining her, I told her and her husband that the baby would be delivered through a Caesarean section, and they agreed,” he said.
He added that the procedure was successful and that both mother and child were initially alive, but the woman later developed complications and died.
The prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including statements, medical reports and photographs of the deceased.
The defendant, represented by his counsel Adeyinka Opaleke, did not call any witnesses in his defence.
Delivering judgment, Justice Jubril Aladejana held that the defendant’s admission during cross-examination that he lacked the qualifications to practise medicine yet carried out surgery showed reckless disregard for human life.
“The confession of the defendant that he was not qualified medical personnel, yet proceeded to operate on a human being, portrayed him as inherently callous. I find the defendant wickedly reckless in his actions on the deceased, Bosede Falade,” the judge said.
He ruled that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that Emmanuel’s actions caused the woman’s death on June 24, 2019, and therefore found him guilty as charged.
“The judgment of this court is that you, Olatide Emmanuel, be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the judge declared.
