March 13, (THEWILL) – The Texas Board of Nursing (BON), United States, has filed formal charges against 75 nurses, including 43 who are of Nigerian origin, for fraudulently obtaining educational credentials.
Recall that 18 Nigerian nurses in the US were charged with certificate forgery in February.
The US authorities had hinted that the list would be updated continuously as the board received additional information about “the fraudulent diploma/transcript scheme.”
The investigation tagged, ‘Operation Nightingale’, was described as a multi-state coordinated law enforcement action involving the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and was launched on January 25, 2023, to arrest individuals engaged in a scheme to sell false and fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts.
THEWILL gathered that some online schools in the United States have been running programs that virtually translate to certificate racketeering, where applicants pay around $15,000 to get certified without going through the schooling process.
Commenting on the development, the board said, “The board has filed formal charges against the following nurses for fraudulently obtaining educational credentials.
“The board is authorised to file formal charges against a nurse if probable cause exists that the nurse has committed an act listed in Tex. Occ. Code §301.452(b) or that violates other laws. See Tex. Occ. Code §301.458. Further, formal charges are publicly available. See Tex. Occ. Code §301.466(b).
“Please note that formal charges are not a final disciplinary action, and a nurse is permitted to work, as a nurse, while formal charges are pending.”
Although, THEWILL could not confirm whether the 43 Nigerian-related sounding names are all Nigerian nurses based in Texas, however, the list published on the BON Website listed the following names:
Abiodun, Yetunde Felicia, LVN #1043387
Addai, Agnes Fosuah, RN #941850
Adelekan, Joseph Adewale, LVN #351002
Adeoye, Vivien Temitope, LVN #342620
Adewale, Modinat Abidemi, LVN#353512
Afolabi, Olufemi Toun, LVN#1009094
Afolabi, Omowunmi F, LVN #1016030
Agbo, Odumegwu Steve, RN #882398
Ajibade, Charlot Omotayo, LVN #351402
Akande, Olabisi Christiana, LVN #1055270
Akeza, Ange-Michou, RN#1032446
Akhigbe, Catherine, LVN #1049072
Akinrolabu, Folasade Margaret, LVN #1031788
Ako, Esiri Rachael, LVN# 1031788
Akpan, Rosemary Moses, #351969
Alimi, Bukola A., LVN# 1016636
Amuda, Abidemi Afusat, RN#1051644
Anaaba, Awingrug Musah, RN #1020740
Ani, Ndirika Justina, LVN#1046786
Anthony-Annor, Spendilove, RN #1021659
Aroh, Nchekwube C., LVN#1046089
Asanga, Albert Nshanui, LVN#1048817
Ayodeji, Sherifat Olubunmi, LVN#346176
Ayomobi, Sandra Chinwe, LVN#1012444
Bah, Ama Oye, LVN#1003000
Bellar, Stephanie Renee, RN#1023541
Bello, Christianah Omolara, RN#938895
Campos, Maricruz, LVN#1043390
Chapalem, Loveline Asong, RN #989751
Deba, Prudencia Mpeh, RN#1018470
Di Flavia, Graciela Mabel, LVN#353769
Dorce, Carmel, RN#1033596
Ebhodaghe, Faith Efemena, LVN#1034009
Echendu, Rejoice, LVN#1031801
Emeh, Ngozi Christiana, RN#1021458
Fonji, Joan Azenjuh, LVN#1012866
Harper-Gillie, Daisy Mae, RN#1034757
Hamilton, Jacinda Avana, RN#966818
Ifechukwude, Marian Chukwudi, LVN#1029378
Ifem, Scholastica N., LVN#1002703
Ikuuah, Mary Wairimu, LVN#1000893
Isaiah, Grace Ekpeno, LVN#1003035
Izuogu, Kenneth Ifeanyi, RN#1034409
Jegede, Akintunde Alex, LVN#353179
Josaphat, Pedro, RN#1019238
King, Margaret Adesola, RN# 1056278
Kabadila, Jackie M., RN#1020497
Kabisa, Elodie Dibwe, RN#1034354
Kariuki, Lydia Mwihaki, RN#1018931
Kariuki, Mary Waithera, RN#1014916
Lawal, Rafiu Lambo, LVN#350107
Lewis, Davia Antoinette, RN#1003485
Lormeus, Josephine, LVN#203023
Louis, Samantha, LVN#1053078
Luma, Myriam, RN#1032597
Luwei, Uduak, LVN#1036952
Makori, Robert N., RN#1018263
Mukete, Emilia Iya-Maseki, RN#1044794
Nana, Rita Nembo Funtong Kwamu, LVN#1055784
Nikoi-Chishimba, Frances Koukor, RN#1025838
Noel, Antoinise, RN#982070
Nwankwo, Christian C., RN#981270
Obetta, Chinwe Favour, LVN#353669
Obi, Eze Kenneth, RN#1010585
Obilo, Christabel O., LVN#1037000
Obiorah, Chinwe Nnenna, LVN#1017118
Ochengo, Vincent Bwoma, LVN#1044100
Odia, Osagumwenro, LVN#1017698
Okafor, Christiana Ulunma, RN#1038140
Okparaeke, Augusta Ezinne, RN#1031582
Opara, Damian Nlemadim, RN#1030464
Ozoigbo, Clara Uchenna, RN#981583
Spraggins, Lilian Akinyi, RN#1051646
Ude, Ifeoma Frank, RN#1048456
Wahome, Victor Gathogo, RN#1050416
About the Author
