Hospital sealed after CMD allegedly swindles barren women

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said it has sealed an alleged controversial illegal maternity home following the arrest of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) arrest.

According to the acting Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, NAPTIP, Mr Adekoye Vincent, said that operatives of NAPTIP, sealed a controversial illegal maternity and baby

factory whose acclaimed Chief Medical Director was arrested few weeks ago for allegedly swindling several women who were in dare need of babies.

Vincent said: “The sealing of the illegal medical outfit, Akuchi Herbal Concept, located on Old road, around Pure Water area, New Nyanyan, Abuja, was part of the ongoing investigation into the case which has already generated public concern among Nigerians, especially relations of the victims.”

It would be recalled that operatives of NAPTIP, last week arrested a 38-year-old herbalist, Mr. Chigozie John Emmanuel, aka ‘Akuchi’, for allegedly deceiving women into thinking they were pregnant and thereafter giving other people's babies to them having collected a lot of money.

Mr. Emmanuel, who is from Enugu State, is the owner of Akuchi Herbal Concept, located at New Nyanya, Abuja. He was arrested after weeks of diligent surveillance by combined team of officers of the Agency and those of the Department of State Services (DSS).

“His arrest was based on a previous arrest by the Nigerian Police, of a woman whom they saw with a baby in Abuja enroute Minna, Niger State. Based on their suspicion, they detained and questioned the woman on the identity of the baby she carried. She admitted to being a patient of Mr. Emmanuel, whom she said administered some herbs to her after years of infertility.  The latest operation was coordinated by the Director, Investigation and Monitoring Department, Mr. Greg Esele on the directive of the Director – General, Dame Julie Okah- Donli,” said Vincent.

Items recovered from the facility include local herbs which the suspect said he uses to stimulate ovulation for women, some soaked black-coloured leaves and concoction which he uses on his victims and other smelling substances.

Some charm and voodoo items were also recovered.

It was discovered that contrary to his claim as displayed on the signpost, the Clinic was virtually empty thereby raising question on how the women were able to believe his claims.

Speaking on the development, the Director – General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah- Donli, said investigation was on going to determine the level of crime allegedly committed by the suspect.

Okah- Donli said: “Investigation is ongoing to clearly establish level of the unwholesome activities of the suspect. We are not leaving anything stone unturned in getting to the roots of crime. This is also in line with our determination to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited in anyway.”