A medical doctor, Nwaopara Adolphus Uche, has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Akwa Ibom State High Court in the Eket local government area jurisdiction for the theft of hospital beds.
The beds were stolen from Immanuel General Hospital and Immanuel Psychiatric Hospital in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, and were later used in his private clinic.
The case revealed that Uche, in his capacity as the Medical Superintendent of Immanuel Psychiatric Hospital, was involved in the theft.
The court, presided over by Justice Nsemeke Daniel, convicted the 39-year-old from Mbiere in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, on two charges of stealing and conspiracy.
Additionally, Kubiat Anthony Isidore, a 28-year-old welder from Ikot Idim in Odoro Ikot, Essien Udim local government area, who conspired with the doctor, was sentenced to one year in prison.
Also convicted was Felix Samuel Ekwere, a 35-year-old security guard at Immanuel General Hospital, from Ekpene Obo in Esit Eket LGA, who was caught moving some of the stolen hospital beds at night.
Samuel confessed that the convicted medical superintendent had sent him. The convictions were part of a case prosecuted by the state through the Ministry of Justice under charge number HEK/13C/2023.