An Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti has handed a death sentence to a man, Olatide Emmanuel, for the murder of a woman after he falsely presented himself as a medical professional. Emmanuel, 48, was put on trial in 2025 on a two-count charge involving murder and impersonation. According to the charge, “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 explained to the court that “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.” One of the witnesses, Rev. Omotade, narrated how the incident came to light after the deceased’s husband informed 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.” In his defence, Emmanuel told the court that he established a clinic in Erinmope Ekiti in 2019 after completing 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.” During the proceedings, the prosecution presented seven witnesses and tendered documents including medical reports, statements and photographs of the deceased as evidence. However, the defendant’s counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, did not call any witness. Delivering judgment, Justice Jubril Aladejana described the defendant’s actions as reckless and dangerous. “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.” Pronouncing the sentence, the judge stated, “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.”
