The United States government has declared two Nigerian men, Ezechukwu Ohaka and Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, wanted over separate allegations involving Medicare fraud and drug-related offences.
Naija News reports that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Ohaka of participating in a scheme that allegedly involved submitting more than $3.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims.
According to the department, the 57-year-old allegedly received more than $1 million in illegal proceeds through the scheme.
In a statement, the DHS said Ohaka allegedly targeted victims of hurricanes and paid kickbacks to recruit beneficiaries.
“Ezechukwu Ohaka (57) is wanted for allegedly submitting $3M+ in fraudulent Medicare claims and reaping $1M+ in illegal proceeds. He reportedly targeted hurricane victims and paid kickbacks to recruit beneficiaries.
“Through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., Ohaka and others allegedly billed for medically unnecessary power wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and wheelchair accessories that were either not medically necessary or were not provided,” the department said.
The allegations against Ohaka relate to the alleged submission of claims for medical equipment and accessories that were either unnecessary or not supplied to beneficiaries.
In a separate development, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has declared 57-year-old Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, also known as Uncle, wanted over alleged drug-related offences.
The agency disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account.
The statement reads: “@DEACHICAGODiv is looking for Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, wanted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.“
The two cases involve separate allegations, and the announcements do not, by themselves, establish the guilt of either individual.
US Embassy Issues Ebola Health Alert in Nigeria
Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a health alert following a reported case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.
Naija News reports that the US Mission Nigeria released the alert on October 21, describing Ebola as a serious health concern.
The mission stated that “Ebola is a rare, severe, and often fatal hemorrhagic fever illness.”
According to the alert, health officials were conducting contact tracing following the reported case. The embassy urged travellers to consult guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take appropriate precautions against potential exposure.
It directed travellers to the CDC’s Ebola information page and its travel health information for Nigeria for further guidance.
The embassy also advised people who may have been exposed to Ebola to contact their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms consistent with the disease. They were encouraged to seek medical guidance before presenting themselves for care.
Travellers were further advised to continue taking malaria-prevention medication as prescribed by their doctors. The alert noted that malaria symptoms can resemble those of Ebola, potentially causing concern and confusion.
The mission also recommended that people returning from areas experiencing an Ebola outbreak monitor their health for 21 days after travel.
For additional travel and health information, the embassy advised travellers to consult the US Department of State’s Nigeria country page.
It also directed them to the embassy’s list of medical providers and encouraged them to contact their travel insurance companies to understand the medical evacuation options available should they fall ill while abroad.