The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says Joshua Ikechukwu, alleged killer of an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative, is not a doctor.
On Sunday, the EFCC reported that Ikechukwu killed Aminu Salisu, an assistant superintendent officer (ASO) in Anambra state, during an arrest operation.
The agency accused Ikechukwu of being an internet scammer who deals in coding and questionable online medical goods.
However, other publications have identified Ikechukwu as a medical practitioner, implying that he worked at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH).
A statement on Monday by Obiaeli Ifeanyi, NMA secretary in Anambra state, said Ikechukwu has been mistakenly addressed as a doctor due to his dealings in medical supplies, insisting he does not hold any 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 member of NMA,” the statement reads.
“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.
“This calls for concern the flagrant abuse of the title Medical Doctor by imposters and quacks, dragging the image of the revered medical profession to the mud.”
NMA urged the public and media to refrain from calling the suspect a doctor and demanded a retraction from the EFCC and outlets that published the reports.
