The United States government has named two Nigerian men, Ezechukwu Joshua Ohaka and Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, as wanted in connection with separate allegations of Medicare fraud and drug-related offences.
Records from US federal agencies show that Ohaka is wanted for allegedly running a healthcare fraud scheme involving over $3.1 million in false Medicare claims. Olukoya is wanted for allegedly conspiring to distribute controlled substances.
The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said Ohaka, 57, allegedly worked with others through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., to submit claims for durable medical equipment that was not medically necessary. This included power wheelchairs, motorised scooters, and wheelchair accessories.
Investigators said the equipment was sometimes not provided to beneficiaries or did not meet Medicare’s medical-necessity requirements.
The agency said the alleged scheme brought in about $1.08 million from the fraudulent claims.
The agency also said Ohaka pretended to be a doctor using the name “Dr Joshua Ohaka” and targeted Medicare beneficiaries who had lived in areas hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration lists Olukoya, also known as “Uncle”, as wanted for allegedly conspiring to possess and distribute controlled substances.
A 2022 announcement from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana named Olukoya as one of the defendants charged in a large marijuana trafficking conspiracy. The announcement said the alleged operation involved distributing large amounts of marijuana across several US states.
The DEA’s fugitive list shows Olukoya as wanted in connection with the alleged controlled-substance offences.
Both cases remains allegations, and the men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
