Allegations of corruption, suspension rock Edo NMA

Crisis is looming in the Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) following alleged misappropriation and embezzlement of funds belonging to the association by its former state chairman and the subsequent suspension of some principal members.

In a statement signed by a member of the association and coordinator of Edo Central Zone of the NMA, Dr. Ujaddughe Moses, it was alleged that a former chairman of the association (name withheld) was found guilty of several offences by an NMA disciplinary committee.

The former chairman was accused of illegal withdrawals of sums and embezzlement of N6 million, which he reportedly took as an unauthorized loan from a new generation bank and withdrawn from Edo NMA’s account after the termination of his tenure.

Ujaddughe also alleged that the past chairman abused his office by illegally converting the association’s property to his personal use, complete absence of documentation and original receipts of expenditure throughout his tenure as chairman and embezzlement of fund generated from AGMs, Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes and from funds paid for the usage of the hall in the Doctors’ House.

He said, “The total loss of the association cannot be fully estimated because the former chairman presumably took away all the duplicate copies of the receipts used in his time and kept absolutely no documentation of his expenditure throughout his tenure, thereby making it impossible to verify any of his claims.”

Ujaddughe who expressed dismay at his suspension and others, said it was shameful that an association such as the NMA would be aiding persons who have been indicted for misappropriation and embezzlement of funds belonging to the association.

He said, “My executive under the chairmanship of Professor Ernest Omoti uncovered financial misappropriation amounting to about N163 million allegedly committed by the immediate past state chairman and his team.

“On the recommendation of the state branch of the association, I wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation. Unfortunately, this year, the leadership at the national level changed and today we have a national leadership that is in bed romancing with corruption and corrupt tendencies.

“My only crime is that I blew the whistle to expose corruption. I guess you now also understand why Prof. Omoti has been joined in the suspension spree.”

Reacting to the allegations, Dr. Emmanuel Ighodaro dismissed the allegations, saying they were handiwork of his enemies and rivals who were bent on damaging his image which he has he built over the years as a past chairman of the Edo branch of the NMA.