The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has described claim that one Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu who shot an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dead during a raid on his residence in Awka, Anambra State is a medical doctor.
Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, the Secretary of Anambra chapter of NMA said this in a disclaimer issued in reaction to claims in the media that a medical doctor shot an EFCC officer dead in Awka.
There have also been calls that the NMA should intervene in the shooting incident involving its alleged member on the social media.
Ifeanyi noted one of the publications, Ikechukwu who shot the EFCC officer dead in the early hours of Friday 17th January, 2025 at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka was also referred to as a medical doctor with Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH.
But in the statement published on the X handle of Anambra chapter of NMA, Ifeanyi said findings by the Association so far have revealed that Ikechukwu is neither a medical doctor not a staff of NAUTH.
He added that Joshua Ikechukwu is also not a member of NMA Awka Zone of NMA as no member has been able to identify such a name as a colleague.
“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,” the NMA said while raising concern about what it described as flagrant abuse of the title Medical Doctor by imposters and quacks, dragging the image of the revered medical profession to the mud.
“By this NMA Anambra State wishes to notify the Media & EFCC that the said Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is NOT a Medical Doctor and that they refrain henceforth from using the title medical doctor for the suspect.
“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.
“While we commiserate with the EFCC and the bereaved family on this unfortunate incident, please be rest assured that the medical profession is a noble one and Nigerian Doctors are responsible and remain law abiding,” the Anambra chapter of NMA concluded.
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