Ekiti court sentences quack nurse to death by hanging over fatal illegal caesarean section
Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria — An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced a 48-year-old man to death by hanging after he impersonated a qualified medical practitioner and performed an illegal caesarean section that led to the death of a pregnant woman.
Justice Jubril Aladejana delivered the verdict on Monday, 10 March 2026, in Ado-Ekiti, finding Olatide Temitope Emmanuel guilty on two counts: murder and impersonation.
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The case, which dates back to 2019, has spotlighted the deadly risks of medical quackery in Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where access to licensed healthcare remains limited.
What happened
According to court records, Emmanuel — who had no formal medical qualifications — ran a private clinic in Erinmope Ekiti. On 24 June 2019, at Odo Ikole Compound, he performed a caesarean section on Falade Bosede after she and her husband sought his assistance for delivery.
The couple consented following an examination. Court evidence showed the procedure was botched, causing complications that resulted in Bosede’s death the same day.
Emmanuel had earlier falsely presented himself as a medical doctor at Ajebamidele Street, Otun Ekiti, on 9 June 2019.
Prosecutor Kunle-Shina Adeyemo told the court the acts violated Sections 316 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Ekiti State, 2012.
Key evidence and testimonies
An eyewitness, Rev. Omotade, testified that he found Bosede’s body on a stretcher with clear signs of an unprofessional operation. He immediately alerted police.
In his defence, Emmanuel claimed he completed a nursing apprenticeship in Lagos and received a certificate before opening his clinic. He insisted the surgery initially succeeded but complications later arose.
The prosecution called seven witnesses and presented the defendant’s statements, medical reports and photographs of the deceased. Emmanuel testified alone, calling no additional witnesses.
The judgment
Justice Aladejana described Emmanuel’s actions as “inherently callous” and “wickedly reckless”.
“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, portrays the defendant as inherently callous,” the judge said.
He ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Emmanuel to death by hanging.
“May the Lord have mercy on your soul,” Justice Aladejana concluded.
Why this case matters: Expert insight and call for reform
Medical quackery remains a persistent crisis across Nigeria, especially in maternal healthcare. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has repeatedly warned that unqualified practitioners exploit desperate patients in under-served areas, leading to preventable deaths.
This verdict is not merely punitive — it is a powerful deterrent. It underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of licensing laws, regular raids on illegal clinics, and public education campaigns warning families to verify credentials before seeking treatment.
For Nigeria’s mothers, the stakes could not be higher. According to health experts, complications from unsafe procedures contribute significantly to the country’s high maternal mortality rate. Strong judicial responses like this one send a clear message: patient safety is non-negotiable.
Advocates for healthcare regulation now hope the sentence will accelerate nationwide crackdowns on fake doctors and auxiliary staff operating without oversight.
The convict has the right to appeal.
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