The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has said Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, the man who allegedly shot an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Halisu Sahabi, is not a medical doctor.

The NMA made this known to debunk reports which named Ikechukwu to be a medical doctor despite the EFCC saying he has confessed to being an internet fraudster.

In one of the publications, the purported doctor was said to be a staff of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH).

Amid calls for the NMA to intervene in Ikechukwu's case, the association, through the State Secretary, Obiaeli Ifeanyi, issued a statement revealing its findings on the suspect.

Ifeanyi said Ikechukwu is not a staff of NAUTH, adding that the management of the institution has already debunked such a claim.

He also said 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.

"⁠Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a medical doctor (not even an academic doctor) as widely published by the media though he deals in medical supplies and has been addressed as a doctor.

"This calls for concern about the 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 and 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," Ifeanyi said.

He said the NMA also demanded an immediate retraction of all defamatory publications from the EFCC and media where the suspect was addressed as a medical doctor.

He concluded by commiserating with the EFCC on the loss of an officer, just as he reiterated that the medical profession is a noble one and Nigerian doctors are responsible and remain law-abiding.