18 nurses from Nigeria are to stand trial in the United States for allegedly fraudulently obtaining educational credentials.
The health workers have been taken to court by the Texas Board of Nursing, with the latter saying the nurses allegedly participated in a wire fraud scheme that created an illegal licensing and employment shortcut for aspiring nurses.
As revealed in the charge documents, the scheme fraudulently sells nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from accredited Florida-based nursing schools to individuals seeking licenses and jobs as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs).
The Special Agent in charge of the investigation, Omar Aybar, disclosed that the alleged sale and purchase of nursing diplomas and transcripts to willing but unqualified individuals is a crime that endangers the health and safety of patients and is regarded as an insult to the honourable profession of nursing.
The US attorney was informed that 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 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.
FBI investigators revealed that the schools are now closed.
The names of the Nigerian nurses charged are Abiodun Felicia; Adelakun Aveez; Adelekan Adewale; Adeoye Temitope; Adewale Abidemi; Afolabi Toun; Afolabi Omowunmi; Agbo Steve; and Ajibade Omotayo.
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