A woman accused of practicing illegally as a gynecologist and conducting medical procedures without a valid license is now facing criminal charges in Abuja, sources familiar with the case told West Africa Weekly .
According to court records from the Federal High Court, Abuja, Miriam Ugochi Emenike has been charged with forgery, impersonation, and obtaining employment under false pretenses after allegedly posing as a medical doctor at FMC Umuahia and a private hospital.
In July 2023, Emenike applied for a position at Echoes of God’s Mercy & Grace Mission Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, claiming to be a licensed medical practitioner. Despite concerns from the hospital’s administrative staff over the authenticity of her credentials, the hospital’s CEO insisted on hiring her.
Documents obtained by West Africa Weekly reveal that medical professionals at the hospital soon noticed inconsistencies in her documentation, as well as her inability to use proper medical terminology.
By September 2023, Emenike had allegedly administered medications that led to a miscarriage for one patient and the death of another.
A source also alleged that she injected scent leaf water directly into patients’ uteruses, claiming it was part of an IVF treatment, raising serious concerns about her competence.
Following these alarming incidents, doctors at the hospital demanded proof of her medical license. When she failed to provide valid documentation, they called for her immediate dismissal. Shockingly, rather than terminating her employment, the hospital’s management promoted her to Chief Medical Director (CMD).
Outraged by this decision, all the hospital’s doctors resigned en masse. In a formal letter to the CEO, they demanded an independent verification of all medical staff credentials, warning that retaining an unqualified individual as CMD could endanger patients and expose licensed doctors to professional sanctions.
On May 14, 2024, a petition was filed with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) against both the hospital and Emenike, calling for an immediate investigation and a ban on her medical practice.
“We are of the firm view that the actions of the hospital management are highly unethical, unprofessional, embarrassing, negligent, and indeed fraudulent. Our investigation further revealed that the hospital is offering medical care without a formal license to do so.”
Following its investigation, the MDCN confirmed that Emenike’s name does not appear in its registry of licensed medical practitioners. Additionally, the folio number she used to obtain employment belongs to another doctor.
Beyond her fraudulent medical career, Emenike is also facing separate legal proceedings in Owerri over financial crimes. A 123-page case file obtained by West Africa Weekly details allegations that she defrauded a bank by selling land and a filling station using forged documents.
The next court hearing for her case is scheduled for March 10, 2025, in Abuja, where several medical professionals and other victims are expected to testify against her.
The case has sparked outrage among medical professionals and the general public, with many calling for stricter regulatory oversight to prevent such fraudulent activities in the healthcare sector.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court, Abuja, to see how justice is served in what is now being described as one of the biggest cases of medical fraud in recent times.
