The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended a 45-year-old man, Adeniyi Benjamin, for allegedly running an unlicensed medical facility and practising medicine without proper qualification in Ibadan. The arrest was made on October 2 at Life Is Good Hospital in the Olodo area of the city. According to the police, Benjamin was found attending to patients and administering treatments, particularly for fertility-related conditions.
The suspect was arrested by operatives of the command's Monitoring Unit following intelligence on his activities. 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 police stated that Benjamin was not a qualified medical doctor, yet he was providing medical services to patients.
During preliminary investigation, Benjamin confessed to practising as a quack for about seven years, despite not being a medical doctor and without possessing any licence to practise medicine. He stated that he specialises in fertility-related treatment, which he had been administering to patients at the facility. The police also revealed that Benjamin's activities raised concerns about the risks posed to members of the public.
The Oyo State Police Command urged residents to verify the professional credentials and registration status of individuals offering medical services before patronising them. They 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 police stated that investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of Benjamin's activities and establish whether other persons were involved in the operation of the facility. The command assured that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law. The arrest was made possible through the efforts of the command's Monitoring Unit.
The arrested suspect's activities have sparked concerns about the proliferation of unqualified medical practitioners in the country. The incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of medical facilities to prevent quackery. The police's efforts to curb such activities have been commended by residents.
The Oyo State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed that the suspect's arrest was a significant breakthrough in the fight against quackery in the state. The command is working to ensure that those found guilty face the full weight of the law. The incident serves as a warning to unqualified medical practitioners.
Key points
- The suspect, Adeniyi Benjamin, was practising medicine without qualification for about seven years.
- The police recovered various medical equipment and supplies from the unlicensed facility.
- The Oyo State Police Command urged residents to verify the credentials of medical practitioners before seeking treatment.
