An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has sentenced a man, Olatide Emmanuel, to de.ath by hanging for the k!lling of a woman after posing as a medical professional
Emmanuel, 48, was brought before the court in 2025 on a two-count charge of murder and impersonation.
The charge stated that “the defendant, on 24th June, 2019 at Odo Ikole compound, Erinmope Ekiti, did murder one Bosede Falade, and also on June 9, 2019 at Ajebamidele Street, Otun Ekiti did falsely represent himself to be a medical doctor.”
Prosecutor Kunle-Shina Adeyemo told the court, “The offences are contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”
During the trial, an eyewitness, Rev. Omotade, recounted how the victim’s husband alerted him 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 the stretcher. When I critically examined the body of the deceased, I discovered that the operation was carried out unprofessionally. I later called the police at Otun Ekiti to take over the matter and carry out a full investigation.”
While testifying in his defence, Emmanuel told the court he opened a clinic in Erinmope Ekiti in 2019 after undergoing a nursing apprenticeship in Lagos State.
“The deceased was not my patient but came to inform me that she was due for childbirth. After some examination, I informed her and her husband that she would be delivered of the baby through a Caesarean section, and they agreed.
“The operation was successful with both mother and child alive, but the mother developed complications thereafter and later died.”
The prosecution presented seven witnesses and submitted several exhibits including statements, medical reports and photographs of the deceased. However, the defence counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, did not call any witness.
Delivering judgment, Justice Jubril Aladejana condemned the defendant’s conduct.
“The confession of the defendant under cross-examination that he did not qualify as medical personnel, yet proceeded to open up a human being, knowing he had no training or certification to do so, portrayed the defendant as inherently callous. I find the defendant wickedly reckless in his actions on the now deceased Bosede Falade.
“The prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the reckless action of the defendant caused the woman’s death on 24th June, 2019. The defendant is accordingly found guilty as charged.”
The judge then pronounced the sentence.
“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.”
