U.S. authorities have declared two Nigerian nationals wanted over separate alleged fraud and drug-related offences, according to statements from federal agencies.
Ezechukwu Joshua Ohaka, 57, is wanted over an alleged $3.1 million Medicare fraud scheme in Houston, Texas, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said.
The agency said Ohaka, through his company Luant & Odera Inc., allegedly submitted more than $3.1 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs, motorized scooters and accessories.
Investigators allege the equipment was either medically unnecessary or never supplied to beneficiaries, with some beneficiaries receiving cheaper models than those billed to the government.
According to HHS, some of the beneficiaries had not consulted physicians, lacked required prescriptions or did not meet Medicare’s medical necessity criteria.
The agency said the alleged scheme targeted beneficiaries who had lived in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with some allegedly recruited and offered kickbacks to participate.
It also alleged that Ohaka falsely presented himself as a doctor, using the title “Dr. Joshua Ohaka” while dealing with beneficiaries.
A federal indictment accuses Ohaka and his alleged co-conspirators of obtaining about $1.08 million in proceeds from the scheme, HHS said.
Separately, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, 57, also known as “Uncle,” is wanted in the Southern District of Indiana over alleged conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute.
The DEA described Olukoya as 177 centimetres tall, weighing 99 kilograms, with brown eyes.
The HHS said Medicare is the U.S. federal health insurance programme for people aged 65 and older and for some younger people with disabilities. Fraud involving durable medical equipment has been a recurring focus for federal prosecutors in recent years.
Both cases remain under investigation.