BREAKING: NMA denies membership of alleged doctor who killed EFCC operative

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State chapter, has denied claims that the individual implicated in the controversy surrounding the death of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is a licensed medical doctor.

The clarification was made in a statement signed by Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, the State Secretary of the NMA. The association emphasized that the individual in question is not recognized as a medical practitioner under its registry.

The NMA reaffirmed its commitment to upholding professional standards and ensuring accountability in the medical field. Dr. Ifeanyi added that the association will continue to distance itself from unethical practices and individuals falsely claiming to be medical professionals.

He said, “The attention of the Leadership of NMA Anambra State has been drawn to the online & newspaper publications in which it was alleged that a medical doctor shot an @officialEFCC officer at Awka.

“The incident was said to have occurred in early hours of Friday 17th January, 2025 at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State and the media has been agog with the news especially as it involves a ‘medical doctor’.

“In one of the publications, the purported doctor was said to be a staff of NAUTH.”

The statement, however, added that “Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a staff of NAUTH as has already been debunked by the NAUTH management”.

The NMA also said Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a member of the Awka zone of the association. According to the statement, no member has been able to identify such a name as either a colleague or member of NMA.

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

According to the statement, the claims of the accused person that he is a doctor is just an attempt to drag the medical profession “in the mud”.

It urged media organisations and others from describing the suspect as a medical doctor.

“We also demand immediate retraction of all defamatory publications from the EFCC & media where the suspect was addressed as a medical doctor. We urge the media to do due diligence before making their publications,” it said.

The statement commiserated with the EFCC and the bereaved family on this unfortunate incident, while noting that the “medical profession is a noble one and Nigerian doctors are responsible and remain law abiding”.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Halisu Sahabi, an Assistant Superintendent of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was killed on Friday by a suspected internet fraudster, during a raid in Awka, Anambra State.

The suspect was arrested on Saturday.

SaharaReporters learnt from top police sources on Saturday that the suspect was arrested while he was hiding in the ceiling of his neighbour’s room after the crime.

Halisu, who was confirmed dead after the shooting by the suspected fraudster, was flown to Sokoto State for burial.