A Nigerian traditional ruler and university professor in the United States has been convicted and sentenced for a significant Medicaid fraud scheme. Prof. Ekelekamchukwu Alphonsus Ngwadom, the king of Mbubu, Amiri Kingdom in Imo State, pleaded guilty to defrauding the US healthcare programme of over $72,000.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
US Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced the conviction on January 13, 2025. Ngwadom, a 61-year-old psychotherapist and professor at the University of Mount Olive, North Carolina, submitted fraudulent claims totalling $72,014.66 to Alliance Health. The claims were for behavioural health services supposedly provided to 27 Medicaid patients, including minors, which were never actually rendered.
The fraud occurred between February 18, 2020, and March 18, 2021. An investigation was triggered after Alliance Health's integrity section flagged the payments. The North Carolina Department of Justice and the State Bureau of Investigation conducted a probe that lasted three years before charges were filed on January 30, 2025.
Prosecutor Tracy Grimes revealed in court that Ngwadom billed for services purportedly provided through an after-school programme. However, that programme was not operational during the billing period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families interviewed by investigators stated they had declined offers of services from Ngwadom, yet he submitted 52 claims for one family's two children alone.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Ngwadom pleaded guilty to 27 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. Judge Winston Gilchrist handed down a sentence of 12 to 34 months, which was suspended for 36 months of supervised probation. The sentence includes a 90-day house arrest and an order to pay full restitution of $72,014.66.
During the hearing, Ngwadom's defence attorney, Lauren Toole, argued that her client made a mistake after the pandemic impacted his business, leading to the foreclosure of his home. Ngwadom has taken out a second mortgage to facilitate the restitution payment and has lost his professional licenses as part of the plea agreement, forcing him to find new employment.
When asked by the judge if he was guilty, Ngwadom initially shook his head before whispering, "Yes, sir." He later apologised to the court, stating through tears, "This is not typically who I am." Judge Gilchrist denied the prosecutor's request for prison time, citing the defendant's steps toward restitution.
Background and Community Impact
Prof. Ngwadom was crowned the HRH SIR EZE Alphonsus OBIANOKWU 1V of Mbubu, Amiri ancient Kingdom on April 16, 2021, following his father's passing. His community had expressed high hopes for his reign, citing his education and exposure as assets for development.
Beyond his royal title, Ngwadom was a licensed clinical mental health counselor, the CEO of Almarch Counseling Services, and the Chairman of the African Diaspora Coalition of North Carolina. The fraud case has cast a shadow over his dual roles as a community leader and health professional.
Attorney General Jackson emphasised the seriousness of the crime, stating, "When people defraud the Medicaid program, they are stealing money from North Carolina taxpayers and from those who rely on this care." The prosecution noted that the fraudulent billing even prevented some children from receiving legitimate mental health services from their actual providers.
As part of his probation terms, Ngwadom must pay $45,000 of the restitution by January 21, 2026, complete 100 hours of community service, and will be on house arrest for the first three months. If he violates probation, he faces a minimum of one year in prison.
