Fake medical doctor granted bail

Accra, May 7, GNA - A 38-year-old teacher, who allegedly used the certificates of a deceased medical doctor to practise in some hospitals was on Friday granted 60 million cedis bail with two sureties by an Accra Circuit Court.

Jojo Atta Peters has pleaded not guilty to stealing, impersonation, and assuming false professional title.

He is to reappear on May 20.

The case for the Prosecutor, Chief Inspector George Abavelim was that Peters resides at Bubuashie in Accra and on April 15, the Police had a tip-off that Peters had applied for a job at the Midway Clinic as a Medical Doctor.

The Prosecution said when the management of the clinic presented certificates submitted by Peters to the Ghana Medical and Dental Council for verification, they were found to belong to one David Atta Peters, who died in 2001.

He said as a result, the Police mounted surveillance at the premises of Midway Clinic and on April 19 when the accused showed up to check on his application, he was arrested.

According to the Prosecution, when Peters was searched, a stethoscope, a pair of scissors, a book entitled: "A guide to physical examination and history taking" and eight pictures portraying that he had been practising as a medical doctor, were found on him.

Chief Inspector Abavelim said during interrogation, Peters admitted the offence and told the Police that the late Dr David Atta Peters was his friend.

The accused told the police that in 2001, the late Dr Peters travelled to London and asked him (accused) to renew his medical licence at the Ghana Medical and Dental Council.

He said it was during that time Dr Peters committed suicide in a hotel at Tema therefore, he (accused) decided to use the certificates to work as a medical doctor since they bore the same name.

Chief Inspector Abavelim said the accused also confessed that in August 2003 he was arrested for using the certificates to work at the Atua Government Hospital and the case was pending before a Circuit Court in Koforidua.