The United States government has listed two Nigerian men, Ezechukwu Joshua Ohaka and Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, as wanted over separate allegations involving Medicare fraud and drug-related offences.
According to records published by US federal agencies, Ohaka is wanted over an alleged healthcare fraud scheme involving more than $3.1m in fraudulent Medicare claims, while Olukoya is wanted over an alleged conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General said Ohaka, 57, allegedly worked with co-conspirators through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., to submit claims for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs, motorised scooters and wheelchair accessories.
Investigators alleged that the equipment was sometimes not provided to beneficiaries or did not meet Medicare’s medical necessity requirements.
According to the agency, the alleged scheme generated approximately $1.08m in proceeds from the fraudulent claims.
The agency also alleged that Ohaka falsely presented himself as a doctor under the name “Dr Joshua Ohaka” and targeted Medicare beneficiaries who had lived in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Meanwhile, the US Drug Enforcement Administration lists Olukoya, also known as “Uncle”, as wanted over an alleged conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intention of distributing them and to distribute the substances.
A 2022 announcement by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana had previously named Olukoya among defendants charged in a large-scale marijuana trafficking conspiracy. The announcement said the alleged operation involved the distribution of large quantities of marijuana across several US states.
The DEA’s fugitive listing identifies Olukoya as wanted in connection with the alleged controlled-substance offences.
Both cases concern allegations, and the men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
