The Nigeria Police in collaboration with Cross River State Taskforce on quackery and related violation in the healthcare delivery system of the state has arrested a medical Doctor and CEO of Life First Medical Centre, Dr Austin Adugba and three others.
Dr Austin Adugba and his accomplice who carry out superficial skin cuts giving patients the false sense that they had surgeries were arrested during an impromptu assessment of the facility by the Cross River State Taskforce on quackery and related violation in the healthcare delivery system and the police.
NigeriaCrime.com gathered that Dr Adugba has allegedly been recruiting quacks in his facility ( Life first ) and mobilising them to carry out all sorts of illicit activities In rural communities and defrauding unsuspecting members of such localities.
According to the Chairman of the Taskforce, Dr David Ushie, six persons including Dr Adugba conspired to carry out the fake surgeries on nine persons out of the 10 patients that were found in the facilities visited by the team.
Explaining further, Dr Ushie revealed that Dr Adugba has allegedly been recruiting quacks in his facility ( Life first ) and mobilising them to carry out all sorts of illicit activities In rural communities and defrauding unsuspecting members of such localities.
“We received a tip-off concerning some wonder surgeons in the community.
“My team and I left Calabar by 12:30 AM of Sept 8, 2022, to ensure the offenders did not escape as they usually did.
“As we arrived in the wee hours, we immediately contacted the Chairman of Council, Hon Emmanuel Ishabor and
the DPO of Ceja Area command. Supol Horsfall, who both confirmed the incidence.
“Our investigations took us to Health Center Aladim, the venue of the crime. After a full-day interview and facility assessment, we made the following discoveries.
” There were ten (10) patients on admission. Nine (9) of the ten patients had eleven (11) ‘surgeries’.
“Among the 9,3 patients who had four (4) ‘surgeries’ for ‘hernia’, the majority of the
seven (7) had ‘surgeries’ for ‘appendectomies, and one patient had two surgeries’ for ‘appendix’ (1) and ‘hernia’ (1).
” At least 5 of the 11 surgeries were recognizable as superficial skin cuts giving patients the false sense that they had surgery (-ies).
“At least six (6) persons conspired in these fake surgeries and they include; Mr Phillips Terzengwe Beeve (carried out ‘surgical operations’ on all 9) and Mr Sunny (Carries out ultrasound scan and report with Life first business name).
“Life first is located in Okuku, Iyala LGA and is owned by Dr Augustine Adugba. Dr Austin Adugba (employer of Mr Phillips and Mr Sunny), ” he stated.
Dr Ushie revealed that Adugba a medical practitioner who hails from Benue state was arrested alongside three others who have been working with him.
The three others arrested alongside the fake medical practitioner aid him in ripping off unsuspecting rural dwellers by performing fake surgeries on them and not only duping them but also endangering their lives.
The Taskforce Chairman also disclosed that before the incident his team had responded to 22 cases and arrested violators and closed down 13 healthcare facilities on account of various violations of the regulatory laws.