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Sisters Erika Caffey, and Cora Caffey, then 17 and 14, were both pregnant when they went for a routine prenatal exam from "Dr. Asonye" at a medical clinic on 35th Street. Five years later they were visited by the state police, who told them that the man who performed their vaginal and breast exams was a Nigerian citizen who was not a doctor.
The sisters filed a lawsuit against Agwu Nwoke, the man they say treated them, and Ibeasbuchi Asonye, the doctor that state investigators say allowed Nwoke to impersonate him.

"I was surprised and upset that a guy that I actually trusted was not a real physician. He greeted us as any other doctor would have," said Cora Caffey, who has two children and is pursuing her high school degree. Their attorneys hope to include in the lawsuit 375 unnamed female patients treated at the Family Medical Center, 221 E. 35th.

The lawsuit follows a state investigation. Asonye's medical license has been revoked, and Nwoke is scheduled to be sentenced after being convicted of felony charges of impersonating a physician, according to the state attorney general's office.

In a settlement with the state, Asonye agreed to repay Medicaid funds to the state, and not to contest the charges that he allowed Nwoke and another man, Boyede Ademodi, who is not named in the lawsuit, to provide medical services. Still, that is no consolation for the Caffeys.

"This has made feel like I can't trust a male doctor now," Erika Caffey said.

The suit asks for $10 million in punitive damages against the defendants, Nwoke and Asonye, said attorney Ian R. Alexander, although he said he doesn't know if they'll be able to recover a dime. "Punishment is not the only goal. We feel we are entitled to compensation for breach of public trust and individual trust," Alexander said. "If you don't punish them in the pocketbook, then they are going to do it again and again."

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