The 34-year-old self-acclaimed medical doctor, who is facing trial at the Tema Circuit Court for allegedly raping a 22-year-old student, has been convicted by the court, presided over by Isaac Adjei, for imperson­ation.

Nicholas Kwame Woode, the accused person who stormed the court with a health problem from a polyclinic in Tema as a result of his refusal to eat, pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge of pretend­ing to be a public officer.

The convict had claimed that he was a staff of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital but it turned out to be untrue.

During his initial appearance in court, the accused had earlier in his statement and interrogation told the court about his profession, stating emphatically that he was a paramedic at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

His admission that he was not a medical officer but a self-employed and worker of a pharmaceutical com­pany which supplies medical appara­tus and drugs to health institutions and schools, came as a surprise to most people in the court and the judge.

He works at Hamwood Company Limited as the director.

Nicholas Woode further explained that his dedication to duty as drug supplier earned him the title from his clients.

The court did not hesitate to find him guilty on his own plea, but deferred the sentence to a later date.

On July 15,2014, the self­acclaimed doctor, a friend of the vic­tim, was alleged to have lured the lady to his residence in the evening at Middle East in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region, where he forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.

A police medical report form was issued to the victim who attended the Tema General Hospital after report­ing the matter to the police.

The medical report showed that the victim suffered swelling in the right thigh and groin, coupled with some discharges from the private parts and a torn hymen.

The Domestic Violence and Vic­tim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Tema Regional Police Command ini­tiated investigation into the alleged rape scandal which has attracted much attention in Tema and its envi­rons.

The fake doctor, who allegedly slept with the lady without using condom, admitted the offence during police interrogations, but has been granted police enquiry bail.

Inspector Nana S.K. Otchere, prosecutor in the case, narrated to the court that on July 18, 2014, the accused, who was involved in the rape case, told the DOVVSU at the Tema Regional Police Command that he was a medical doctor.

After he was apprehended, police commenced investigation into the matter and established that the accused was not a medical doctor.

Prosecution told the court that on July 30, 2014, police wrote a letter to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra to ascertain whether the accused was an employee of the health facility.

On August 8, 2014, prosecution received response from the renowned health centre endorsed by a certain Dr. David Ntim, Acting Director of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, dis­tancing the health facility from Nicholas Woode, who had told the court that he was a paramedics spe­cialist of the facility.

Police interrogated the accused person who admitted the offence of impersonation in his caution state­ment before he was charged with the offence and arraigned before the court.