Recall that the said Ikechukwu had, last week, shot an EFCC operative dead and injured another when they invaded his residence at Ifite-Awka in the wee hours of 17th January 2025.
It was reported that Ikechukwu, who is said to be a medical doctor with Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, had mistaken the operative for a thief.
Following the arrest of the said Ikechukwu by the EFCC, there have been calls for the NMA to intervene in the shooting incident involving its alleged member on social media.
In a disclaimer issued to newsmen, Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, the Secretary of the Anambra chapter of NMA, said the suspect is not a member of the association.
Ifeanyi, in a statement published on the X handle of the Anambra chapter of NMA, said the Association’s findings so far have revealed that Ikechukwu is neither a medical doctor nor a staff member of NAUTH.
He added that Joshua Ikechukwu is also not a member of NMA Awka Zone, 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 publishing.
“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.
