The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has debunked reports identifying the suspect accused of killing an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officer in Awka as a medical doctor.
In a statement released by Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, the State Secretary of the NMA, via X (formerly Twitter), on Monday, the association clarified that the suspect, Joshua Ikechukwu, is neither a licensed medical practitioner nor a member of the NMA.
Ikechukwu allegedly killed an EFCC officer, Aminu Salisu, during an operation in the early hours of Friday, January 17, 2025, at Dr J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka.
The EFCC said Ikechukwu was allegedly involved in “online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.”
An online publication was said to have reported that the suspect was a staff member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.
Addressing these claims, the NMA expressed concern over the misuse of the title “medical doctor” by impostors.
“The attention of the leadership of NMA Anambra State has been drawn to online and newspaper publications alleging that a medical doctor shot an EFCC officer in Awka,” the statement said.
“In one of the publications, the suspect was described as a staff member of NAUTH. However, following our investigation, we wish to clarify that: Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a staff member of NAUTH, as confirmed by the hospital’s management.
“He is not a member of the NMA Awka Zone, nor has any member identified him as a colleague. He is not a medical doctor (not even an academic doctor), though he deals in medical supplies and has been erroneously addressed as one.
“The NMA Anambra State hereby notifies the media and EFCC that the said suspect is not a medical doctor. We demand an immediate retraction of all defamatory publications where he was referred to as such. We urge the media to conduct due diligence before publishing claims.”
(Vanguard)