US authorities have declared two Nigerian men wanted in separate cases involving alleged healthcare fraud and drug-related offences, including a scheme that allegedly generated more than $1 million in illegal proceeds from fraudulent Medicare claims.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Ezechukwu Ohaka, 57, was accused of submitting more than $3.1 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare alongside alleged co-conspirators through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc.
According to DHS, the company allegedly billed Medicare for power wheelchairs, motorised scooters and wheelchair accessories that were either not medically necessary or were not provided.
“Ezechukwu Ohaka (57) is wanted for allegedly submitting $3M+ in fraudulent Medicare claims and reaping $1M+ in illegal proceeds,” the department said.
DHS added that Ohaka allegedly targeted hurricane victims and paid kickbacks to recruit beneficiaries into the scheme.
In a separate announcement, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said its Chicago division was seeking Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya over allegations of conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute them and to distribute the substances.
The DEA’s statement identified Olukoya as wanted in connection with the alleged offences but did not provide further details in the information cited.
