Enugu NMA Disclaims Alleged Suspension Of Its Chairman

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Enugu State has described the purported suspension of its Chairman, Dr. Ike Okwesili, by disgruntled element in the association, as a hoax and mischievous.

There was a report in some sections of the media, claiming that NMA Enugu State branch had after its virtual Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on July 24, suspended its chairman, Dr. Okwesili, for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The group which claimed that the virtual meeting, participated by 30 out of over 4,000 members of the association in the state, have appointed Dr Onyekachi Ugwuonye, one of the three vice chairmen to act as chairman pending the determination of the matter by the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the NMA state branch.

The suspension was reportedly issued in Enugu and signed by Ugwuonye and Dr. Okam Izuchukwu.

They claimed that their meeting was in line with Article VII (i) and (ii) of the By-laws of the NMA, Enugu State, while alleged that the suspended chairman had unilaterally withdrew the rights and privileges of some members of the association without recourse to laid down procedures and thereby, threw the association into chaos.

But, NMA in a letter with ref. NMA/ENUGU/240720/622, addressed to Zonal Chairmen, Heads of Affiliates, CMDs/MDs of Tertiary Health Institutions (THIs) and its members, titled: ‘Re: purported suspension of the NMA Enugu State chairman – disclaimer’, described the report as malicious and figment of those behind it.

In the letter which was made available to our correspondent on Sunday, signed by Dr. Ike Okwesili and Dr. Emmanuel O. Aneke, Chairman and Secretary of Enugu state NMA respectively, also described the meeting as improper despite the number as those who signed for the meeting were non-financial members.

The letter was copied to the President of NMA, Commissioner of Police Enugu State and State Director, DSS.

The letter read “The leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Enugu State has been regrettably inundated with barrage of complaints bordering on acts of gross misconduct by some members who for reasons best known to them orchestrated and executed a failed plot to topple a legitimate State Executive Council of our noble association.

“We are heavily dismayed by these unwholesome, fraudulent and embarrassing activities of these individuals who have even gone ahead to issue a press release with a cloned letter head of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Enugu State, a criminal act which violates all extant laws of the land, MDCN Act and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

“It is therefore expedient to state that expressions, information and all content of that said report do not in any way represent the official position and opinion of NMA Enugu State.

“Anybody associating or doing business with this group of individuals does so at his own risk as the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Enugu State will not be held legally responsible for any misrepresentation arising from the activities of these impostors.

“Let it be known that these illegalities and act of gross misconduct have dire consequences and everyone involved in this obnoxious act will surely face the full wrath of our noble association and law,” it declared.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the leadership of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), ESUT-Parklane, was suspended and privileges withdrawn from NMA following their indictment by NMA Ethics & Disciplinary Committee on December 5, 2019 for criminal diversion of monthly dues collected on behalf of NMA Enugu state for years; and refusal to remit all the monies to its account.

An action the disciplinary committee described as unprofessional /unethical with serious consequences.

Our correspondent reports that both Okam and Ugwuonye are standing criminal trial for criminal defamation and stealing in the state magistrate’s courts.