(OWERRI)
The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Imo State Branch, has accused the Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, of intimidating its members by marking out their private homes and hospitals for demolition.
The Association has alleged that some of its members have been coerced with threats to life to dissociate themselves from the position of the Association over its allegation against the state governor on human organ trafficking.
A statement signed by the Chairman of the Body, Prof. Philip Njamanze, and made available to Daily Sun, reads in part that:”The Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Imo State Branch, strongly condemns the actions of Imo State Government targeting medical doctors with acts of demolition of homes, hospitals and threats to life. Some medical doctors have been coerced with threats to life and property to dissociate themselves with the position of the general house.”
“Governor Okorocha on 11.03.2016 ordered demolition bulldozers into the premises of Dr. Philip Njemanze, the Chairman of AGPMPN Imo State, at No 1 MCC Road, Owerri, to destroy his hospital premises. These acts of intimidation by the Imo State Government targeted at doctors to get them to dissociate themselves with the collective unanimous resolution of the general house of AGPMPN Imo State on November 15th 2015, to petition against the actions of Governor Rochas Okorocha, that threaten the life of Nigerians.
“The AGPMPN Imo State in a 214-paged petition dated 20th December, 2015, showed the linkages of Governor Okorocha’s closure of hospitals to actions that facilitate human organ trafficking. The position of the medical doctors were reaffirmed in a public press interview held by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) under the theme: Imo Government threats to Sanctity of Life, on February 4th 2016. This was after the bloody shooting of a medical doctor at a peaceful rally by the police close to government house. The official position of the AGPMPN Imo State will not change despite the threats to life and coercion of her members.”
The Association said that it was regrettable that the brazen acts of impunity and lawless by the Imo state government could only interpreted as a desperate bid to scare potential witnesses.
“It is regrettable that these dastardly lawless acts of Imo State government can only be interpreted as motivated by guilt. It is a known fact that intimidation of potential witnesses is a crime under the criminal code of laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Furthermore, confessions and declarations obtained by coercion are not admissible in any law court. The members of the public are hereby advised to disregard any declarations attributed to medical doctors declining from the official position of the association.”
(George Onyejiuwa, SUN NEWS ONLINE)
