Accra, Nov. 2 GNA - A man who posed as a medical officer and practis= ed medicine illegally for 20 years was on Monday brought before an Accra Circuit Court for causing abortions. He was also charged with practising medicine without authority contr= ary to section 48 of NRC Decree 91 and possession of forged documents contrar= y to section 166 of Act 29/60. The plea of the accused was not taken and he was remanded into priso= n custody to reappear on November 16.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A. A. Annor told the court that for some time there was public concern about the activities of the accused, especially women who had gone there for abortions. At times some= of these women could be heard screaming during the operation. He said October 28, 2009 at about 7.30 am the accused was traced to his house at Kasoa and arrested. ASP Annor said during interrogation the accused claimed he was a medical officer who had been practicing for the past 20 years. He said the accused also said he had also worked in the Cape Coast General Hospital and at the Islamic Community Clinics at Ekumfi and Eyisa= m. He moved to Kasoa two years ago where he had been practising on his own. ASP Annor said the Police and BNI personnel who arrested the accused=

person searched his room and found quantities of assorted drugs, unsterilized and very old syringes and drip stands.

He said some of the items found in the apartment included a fake Certificate of Medical Competence as a junior officer which he said he "obtained" in 1987 and a "certificate of registration" as a qualified nur= se in 1993 awarded by one Dr Kweku Aggrey, who is non-existent.

The rest include a certificate in Bachelor of Arts in English from the Ashes University in China "awarded" in 1984 and certificate from the University of Maine, USA, in Business English in 1989.

ASP Annor said the accused claimed all the four "certificates" were from recognized universities. He said the accused also claimed that he travelled to China for his doctorate degree but could not produce his Ghanaian passport and also his license of practice. He said the accused admitted charging his clients amounts ranging from GH¢30 to GH¢60 for abortions and GH¢5.00 flat for consultation. ASP Annor said the Police were making strenuous efforts to trace peo= ple who had fallen victim to accused.