NMA Enugu Threatens Legal Action Against National Leaders Over Alleged Defamatory Claims

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State chapter, has issued a three-day ultimatum to the national leadership of the association to retract what it described as a “defamatory and misleading publication” or face legal action.

The state chapter’s warning follows a recent statement allegedly signed by NMA National President, Prof. Bala Audu, and Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, which disowned the Enugu chapter’s executives led by Dr. Sunday Okafor as chairman and Dr. Chima Edoga as secretary.

In a rejoinder and pre-action notice issued after an Emergency State Officers’ Council (SOC) meeting held on Sunday, 26th October, the Enugu NMA dismissed the national body’s claims as “false, libellous, and unbecoming of senior members of the medical profession.”

According to the statement, the Enugu NMA insisted that its leadership was duly elected during the 2024 Annual General Meeting, chaired by Sir Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, and supervised by the Prof. Oge Amadi-led Electoral Committee, with Prof. Emmanuel Obikili serving as returning officer.

The association accused Prof. Audu and Dr. Egbo of acting in “utter contempt” of an existing court injunction (Suit No: E/671cp/2025) issued by the Enugu State High Court, which, according to them, restrained any attempt to nullify or disrupt the state’s election process.

“It is laughable and grossly ridiculous that the national leadership, in full knowledge of the court’s position, would choose to ridicule the profession and mislead the public,” the statement read.

The state chapter further alleged that the duo, alongside some members of the National Officers’ Committee, had been collaborating with “suspended members” of the association in a bid to undermine the Enugu branch’s legitimate leadership.

“Prof. Bala Audu and Dr. Benjamin Egbo, through their defamatory publication, have brought the medical profession into disrepute. Their actions betray the ethics they claim to uphold,” the rejoinder continued.

The Enugu NMA urged its members and the general public to disregard the “provocative and misleading release” from the national leadership, reaffirming its commitment to the upcoming 2025 Physicians’ Week and Regional Health Summit.

While describing the national leaders’ conduct as “a political misadventure driven by personal interest,” the chapter said it was exercising restraint “out of sheer benevolence and respect for the institution of the association.”

“However, should they fail to retract their defamatory publication within three (3) days, we shall proceed with all legal measures necessary to protect the integrity of the Enugu State branch and the medical profession at large,” the statement concluded.