47-Year-Old Church Minister Arrested for Allegedly Performing Caesarean Sections Without Medical Qualifications

• Anambra State authorities have arrested a 47-year-old woman accused of illegally performing caesarean sections and other surgeries without medical qualifications at a traditional birth attendant facility.
• The government said the facility has been linked to medical complications and reported deaths, with surgical equipment, hospital beds and a shrine allegedly recovered during a raid.

The Anambra State Government has arrested a 47-year-old woman, Mrs. Onyinyechi Esther Charles, for allegedly carrying out caesarean sections and other surgical procedures without any recognised medical qualifications.

According to the Anambra State Ministry of Health, the suspect operated a traditional birth attendant (TBA) facility in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, where she allegedly performed caesarean sections, normal deliveries and other surgical procedures despite lacking the required training and authorisation.

The ministry said the facility has been linked to several medical complications and reported deaths, prompting an investigation ordered by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, as part of the state’s crackdown on quack medical practitioners.

Officials claimed the suspect admitted during interrogation that she had been conducting caesarean sections, normal deliveries and other procedures without approval. She was also alleged to have previously been known as Eze Nwanyi before becoming a church minister and presenting herself as a surgeon.

During an inspection of the facility on Sunday, July 12, health officials, accompanied by the Mayor of Anambra East Local Government Area, Hon. Ifeanyi Chinweze, and security personnel, reportedly recovered surgical instruments, hospital beds and other medical equipment believed to have been used in the alleged illegal operations. Authorities also discovered what appeared to be a shrine and an altar within the premises.

The state government said the facility has been sealed pending the outcome of legal proceedings, while the suspect is expected to be arraigned in court.