Posted by The Texas Board of Nursing has brought charges against 23 licensed nurses in the United States for allegedly possessing fake certificates.
The names of the accused can be found in a statement that the Board posted on its website. It is believed that 18 of the 23 accused nurses are Nigerian.
The Board says that an ongoing investigation showed that every one of the suspects was involved in a big scam to get fake nursing degree diplomas and transcripts.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) is a part of this scheme, which was given the name “Operation Nightingale.” It involves coordinated law enforcement action across multiple states. The goal of the operation, which began on January 25, 2023, was to apprehend people who were selling fake and fraudulent nursing credentials.
Abiodun and Yetunde Felicia, both from Nigeria, are involved in the scheme; Abiodun Aveez and Adelakun; Adewale, Joseph Adelekan; Vivien Temitope Adeoye; Modinat Abidemi, Adewale; Toun, Olufemi Afolabi; Omowunmi, Afolabi; Odumegwu Steve Agbo; and Charlot Omotayo, Ajibade.
Akande and Olabisi Christiana are two others; Catherine Akhigbe; Margaret Folasade Akinrolabu; Esiri Rachael, Ako; Rosemary Moses Akpan; Bukola Alimi; Justina Ndirika Ani; Nchekwube C. Aroh; and Sherifat Olubunmi, Ayodeji.
These individuals used fake nursing credentials to take the national nursing board exam, according to the Texas Board of Nursing.
The sentence was as follows: The following nurses have been charged by the Board of Nursing for obtaining educational credentials fraudulently. If there is probable cause to believe that a nurse has committed an act listed in Texas, the Board is authorized to bring formal charges against the nurse. Occ. Code 301.452(b) or that infringes upon other laws. See Tex. Occ. Code §301.458.
Formal Charges are also accessible to the general public. Read Tex. Occ. Code §301.466(b). Please be aware that a nurse is permitted to continue working as a nurse while Formal Charges are pending and are not the final disciplinary action. As the Board receives additional information regarding the fraudulent diploma/transcript scheme, this list will be continuously updated.
Abanda and Jacob Atambili are two additional nurses named in the scandal; Agnes Fosuah, Addai; Awingrug Musah, Anaaba; Spendilove and Anthony-Anne; Albert Nshanui, Asanga.