EFCC Officer’s Alleged Killer Not a Medical Doctor, Says NMA

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has clarified that Joshua Ikechukwu, the man accused of killing an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is not a medical doctor.

The EFCC announced on Sunday that its officer, Aminu Salisu, an assistant superintendent, was killed in Anambra State during an arrest operation. The agency alleged that Ikechukwu was involved in internet fraud, specifically coding and online medical supply activities of questionable legitimacy.

Despite some reports describing Ikechukwu as a doctor, with claims that he worked at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), the NMA has denied any professional affiliation with him.

In a statement on Monday, Obiaeli Ifeanyi, secretary of the NMA in Anambra State, stated that Ikechukwu has been wrongly identified as a medical doctor due to his business dealings in medical supplies. The association insisted he holds no medical qualifications.

“Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is NOT a member of NMA Awka Zone, and no member has been able to identify such a name as either a colleague or a member of NMA,” the statement read.

“Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is NOT a Medical Doctor (not even an academic doctor) as widely published by the media, though he deals in medical supplies and has been addressed as ‘Doctor.'”

The NMA expressed concern over what it described as the misuse of the title “Medical Doctor” by impostors and unqualified individuals, warning that such misrepresentations tarnish the image of the medical profession.

The association called on the public and the media to stop referring to Ikechukwu as a doctor and demanded that the EFCC and media outlets retract any reports that inaccurately described him as one.