United States authorities have publicly listed two 57-year-old Nigerian men as wanted in separate cases. One is accused of a Medicare fraud scheme involving more than $3.1 million in false claims, and the other of a drug distribution conspiracy.

The Medicare case concerns Ezechukwu Joshua Ohaka, who is listed as a fugitive by the Office of Inspector General of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

A federal indictment alleges that he and his co-conspirators submitted more than $3.1 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for durable medical equipment. The gross proceeds of the alleged fraud were put at about $1.08 million.

Through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., Ohaka and others allegedly billed Medicare for power wheelchairs, motorised scooters and accessories that were either not medically necessary or never provided.

In some instances, they allegedly billed for more expensive wheelchairs than the ones actually supplied. Investigators say many of the beneficiaries had not seen a doctor, had no prescription as Medicare requires, or did not meet the medical necessity requirements.

The scheme allegedly targeted Medicare beneficiaries who lived in the paths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Ohaka is also accused of paying kickbacks to individuals who recruited beneficiaries so the company could file the bogus claims.

US authorities say he falsely presented himself as a doctor under the name “Dr Joshua Ohaka”.

In a separate notice, the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s Chicago Division listed Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, also known as “Uncle”, as wanted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.

Reports on the notice say the alleged operation involved the movement and distribution of marijuana across several US states between 2016 and 2022.

Both notices were published on the same day, which has led to the two men being grouped together in public discussion. The cases are unrelated, however. Ohaka’s concerns healthcare fraud and Olukoya’s concerns drug offences.

The wanted listings are accusations, not convictions. Neither man has been tried, and both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. As of this report, both remain listed as wanted by US authorities.