The Nigerian Medical Association, Anambra State Chapter, has denied that the person who is suspected of killing an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Awka is a doctor.
The suspect, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, is not a licensed medical professional nor a member of the association, according to a statement released by the association’s State Secretary, Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, via X (previously Twitter) on Monday.
Following extensive media coverage that incorrectly identified the suspect as a medical professional, the explanation was made.
The NMA voiced worry over imposters abusing the title “medical doctor,” claiming that this damages the standing of the medical field.
According to reports, the event happened at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close in Ifite, Awka, early on Friday, January 17, 2025. According to early reports, Ikechukwu worked at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital and was allegedly involved with medical supplies.
But the results of the NMA’s initial inquiry showed that Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a NAUTH employee. NAUTH management has already refuted this.
The NMA Awka Zone does not include him. He has not been recognized by any association member as a colleague or an NMA member.
He is not a physician. Ikechukwu sells in medical supplies and was mistakenly referred to as a doctor, despite the media’s extensive coverage of him as such.
The NMA expressed its worry that imposters and quacks are abusing the title of “medical doctor,” claiming that this behavior damages the reputation of the medical field.
The statement read, “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.
“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.”
The association confirmed that the medical field in Nigeria is still a respectable and law-abiding one and sent its condolences to the EFCC and the surviving family.