In a significant legal development, the State High Court in Eket, Akwa Ibom, has handed down a two-year prison sentence to Dr. Nwaopara Adolphus Uche, a 39-year-old medical doctor. Dr. Uche, who hails from Mbiere in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, was found guilty of stealing hospital beds from Immanuel General Hospital and Immanuel Psychiatric Hospital in Eket, later converting them for personal use in his private clinic.

The court, presided over by Justice Nsemeke Daniel, convicted Dr. Uche on a two-count charge, including stealing and conspiracy. Additionally, Kubiat Anthony Isidore, a 28-year-old welder from Ikot Idim in Odoro Ikot, Essien Udim LGA, was also sentenced to one year in prison for his involvement in the conspiracy.

Furthermore, Felix Samuel Ekwere, a 35-year-old security guard at Immanuel General Hospital, who was caught attempting to remove some of the stolen hospital beds at night, received a one-year prison sentence. Samuel Ekwere confessed to the police that the convicted Medical Superintendent, Dr. Uche, had instructed him to carry out the theft.

These individuals faced prosecution by the state through the Ministry of Justice, under charge number HEK/13C/2023.