Police Arrest Fake Doctor in Edo for Alleged Baby Trafficking

Edo State Police have arrested a 46-year-old man, Osaze Okungbowa, accused of impersonating a medical doctor, delivering babies, and trafficking newborns. The arrest occurred after Princess Oke reported that her baby, delivered under Okungbowa's care, was missing.

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I am a fake doctor. I was employed as a manager in a private hospital. The owner employs both qualified and unqualified persons. One Mr Godwin brought a woman and said she wanted to deliver. I told them I could not take the delivery because I was not feeling well that day.

Okungbowa, who admits to not attending tertiary institution and training as an auxiliary nurse, stated he worked as a manager in a private hospital. He denied performing duties as a medical doctor, explaining that the baby's mother, Princess Oke, was taken to another facility for delivery. He claimed the baby died during transport to a hospital for incubator care, and that he and Mr. Godwin buried the infant.

However, the baby's mother contradicted Okungbowa's account. She stated she heard her baby cry after delivery before losing consciousness and believes the child is not dead. She questioned Okungbowa's claim of prematurity for a baby delivered after 35 weeks of pregnancy.

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I took the baby, and while transporting it to the hospital, it died. Mr Godwin said we should bury the baby. We buried the baby at an Anglican cemetery.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, confirmed that Okungbowa would face charges in court upon the conclusion of the investigation. The case highlights concerns about unregistered medical practices and potential baby trafficking within the state.

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Okungbowa was the person who induced me around 11 a.m. A midwife said I should go to their house to deliver. After delivery, I heard the baby cry before I became unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I saw only the placenta. The doctor had been on the run. I was told the baby died. I believe the child is not dead. He said the child was premature. How can a baby delivered after 35 weeks of pregnancy be premature?