18 New Nigerian Nurses Charged For Certificate Forgery In The USA

43 Total Nigerian Nurses Charged For Certificate Forgery In The USA

A total of 43 Nigerian nurses have been charged in the United States of America for allegedly fraudulently obtaining educational credentials. This comes after the Texas Board of Nursing conducted high-end investigations, leading to the arrest of 25 additional Nigerian nurses, following the arrest of 18 others in February 2023. The charges include fraudulently obtaining educational credentials, which include certificates and licenses.

It is alleged that these nurses had used fraudulent means to obtain their nursing degrees, diplomas, and licenses, which are a requirement for them to practice in the US. This is not the first time Nigerian nurses have been involved in such fraudulent activities. In 2019, a Nigerian nurse, identified as Oluyemisi Adebayo, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for visa fraud, making false statements, and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

The charges against these nurses are an embarrassment to the country and its reputation abroad. Nigeria has been battling with issues of corruption, which have affected its reputation and credibility on the international stage. This incident further highlights the need for the Nigerian government to take proactive measures to combat corruption and fraudulent activities.

The Nigerian government has been urged to take the necessary steps to address the issue of corruption, which is a major obstacle to the country’s development. It is important that the government puts in place measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

The Nigerian Nurses Association (NNA) has also condemned the actions of the nurses, stating that such actions are unacceptable and tarnish the image of the profession. The NNA has called on the authorities to prosecute those found guilty and to ensure that the reputation of the nursing profession is not further tarnished.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for Nigerian nurses in the United States and other parts of the world. This is due to the high level of training and expertise that Nigerian nurses possess. However, incidents such as this can damage the reputation of Nigerian nurses and affect their chances of securing employment in foreign countries.

The charges against the Nigerian nurses highlight the need for the Nigerian government to take decisive action to combat corruption and fraudulent activities. It is important that the government takes the necessary steps to ensure that the reputation of Nigerian professionals, including nurses, is not tarnished. The Nigerian Nurses Association has also called on the authorities to prosecute those found guilty and to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

The 18 Nigerians charged in the first list include Abiodun Felicia; Adelakun Aveez; Adelekan Adewale; Adeoye Temitope; Adewale Abidemi; Afolabi Toun; Afolabi Omowunmi; Agbo Steve; and Ajibade Omotayo.

Others are; Akande Olabisi; Akhigbe Catherine; Akinrolabu Folasade; Ako Esiri; Akpan Rosemary; Alimi Bukola; Ani Ndirika; Aroh Nchekwube; and Ayodeji Sherifat.

“The list would be updated continuously as the board received additional information about the fraudulent diploma/transcript scheme,” The US authorities had disclosed.

According to information on the Board’s website about the probe tagged ‘Operation Nightingale’, the individuals who acquired the fraudulent nursing credentials used them to qualify to sit for the national nursing board exam.

Upon successful completion of the board exam, the nursing applicants reportedly became eligible to obtain licensure in various states to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN).

The board while commenting on the matter said, “The board has filed formal charges against the following nurses for fraudulently obtaining educational credentials.

The bogus diplomas and transcripts qualified purchasers to sit for the national nursing board exam and, after passing it, to obtain licenses and jobs in various states as RNs and LPN/VNs, the US attorney was told.

The overall scheme involved the distribution of more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas issued by three South Florida-based nursing schools — Siena College in Broward County, Fla — Palm Beach School of Nursing in Palm Beach County, Fla — Sacred Heart International Institute in Broward County.

According to the report, if guilty, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, according to court documents made public 25 January.