Kumawu (Ash), March 9, GNA - A 35-year-old man, who claimed to be a medical officer at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in hard labour for impersonation by the Kumawu Circuit Court.

Wiseman Osei pleaded guilty for extortion and defrauding by false pretence. Police Chief Inspector Ahmed Amoah Barnie, prosecuting told the court, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Owusu-Afriyie that on February 26, this year at about 2030 hours, the police had information that =91Dr' Osei was collecting money from people at Effiduase under the pretext of employing them as ward assistants.

The prosecution said the police quickly went to the place and the accused was found wearing a white overall with the inscription 91Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital' written boldly at his back and Dr Wiseman Osei also printed at his upper left breast pocket.

Chief Inspector Barnie said when the police asked him to produce his identity card he could not do so and was subsequently arrested. A spot check on him revealed one travelling bag containing an additional white overall without any inscription, seven examination result slips and certificates, passport-size photographs, cash of 700,000 cedis and personal belongings.

According to the prosecution, 91Dr' Osei had collected various sums of monies ranging between 300,000 cedis and 700,000 cedis from prospective nurses and had given them nursing uniforms and asked them to be ready for employment.

In the course of investigations, the accused confessed that he was not a medical officer but a farmer at Sefwi-Juaboso and resides at Abuakwa near Kumasi.