NIGERIAN DENTIST JAILED IN ENGLAND FOR FRAUD

Olowashe Olojugba

A Nigerian dentist and former Chairman Europe branch of NIDO, a non-for-profit group which claim to be representing Nigerians in the Diaspora has been jailed for 18 months. He defrauded the NHS of almost £140,000 - Olowashe Olojugba claimed thousands for gold crowns and bridges that he had not provided in a series of bogus claims spanning three years. Jailing the 67-year-old, Judge Graham Morrow said: "You continued to make false claims even when the Dental Practice Board was investigating you."

Liverpool Crown Court heard that he had made 426 false claims which equated to three a week over the three years.

Olojugba had initially denied conspiracy to de fraud but during his six-week trial last month at the end of the prosecution case he suddenly pleaded guilty to theft and the fraud plot was dropped.

He was a dentist at Hulme Medical Centre in Manchester but also worked during evenings at Whitehall Avenue, Appley Bridge.

The Dental Services Division of the Board became suspicious at the number of crowns Olojugba was claiming payment for and referred the case to the dental fraud team.

They found that records at his surgeries differed from the claims he had submitted.

Olojugba, of Whitehall Avenue, Appley Bridge, pleaded guilty to stealing credit balances totalling £139,922 between April 1, 2003 and February 28 last year.

The court was told that he had qualified as a dentist in 1974 and was entitled to be called doctor as he had a PhD.

Jason Mansell, defending, said that Olojugba, who has no previous convictions, was very well respected, and testimonials on his behalf came from people including an Appeal Court judge and a bishop, both in Nigeria.

Mr Mansell said: "The fraudulent claims submitted were padded and fleshed out honest work he had carried out." He said that Olojugba, who will be struck off, had paid tax on the dishonestly obtained income.

Steve McKenzie, of the NHS Dental Fraud Team said: "It is astonishing that a person in Olojugba's position would set out to line his own pockets so deliberately and callously."