Anambra State’s war against medical quackery has claimed its latest target. A 47-year-old woman, Mrs. Onyinyechi Esther Charles, has been arrested and faces imminent arraignment for allegedly running a rogue surgical facility in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
Operating under the guise of a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA), Mrs. Charles—originally from Abia State and married to an Nteje indigene—is accused of performing complex medical procedures, including Caesarean sections (C-sections) and vaginal deliveries, completely devoid of any medical or surgical qualifications. Her illegal operations have reportedly left a trail of severe medical complications and fatalities in their wake.
According to the Anambra State Ministry of Health, the suspect’s operation was unraveled following an intensive investigation ordered by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly made a series of startling confessions:
Admitted to Surgery: She confessed to performing C-sections and deliveries without legal authorization or medical training.
The Shapeshifter: Officials revealed that she previously operated under the traditional title of Eze Nwanyi, later transitioned into a church minister, and ultimately rebranded herself as a medical surgeon.
Inside the Chamber of Horrors
On Sunday, July 12, a joint enforcement team led by Dr. Obidike, alongside the Mayor of Anambra East LGA, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, and security personnel, stormed the facility.
What they discovered was a bizarre and dangerous setup. Alongside hospital beds and a cache of confiscated surgical instruments, officials uncovered both a shrine and a church altar operating within the same premises where surgeries were being conducted. The state government has sealed and confiscated the facility pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
“This discovery is deeply disturbing and poses a severe threat to public health. The Soludo administration will not fold its arms and watch unqualified individuals gamble with the lives of our people under the guise of healthcare.”
Dr. Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health
Government Issues Strong Warning to Residents
Reacting to the development, the Mayor of Anambra East, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, lauded the swift action of the Ministry of Health and security agencies. He pledged the local government’s unalloyed support in weeding out medical impostors.
The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent advisory to the public, particularly expectant mothers, to steer clear of unlicensed facilities. Residents are strongly urged to ;
*Patronize only government-approved, duly registered healthcare centers.
* Verify the credentials of their healthcare providers.
* Promptly report any suspicious medical operations to local authorities.
The suspect is expected to be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction, where she will face the full weight of the law.
Anambra Diaries will continue to track this story as legal proceedings begin.
