The decision was made during the NEC meeting and annual general/scientific conference held in Katsina state at the weekend.

The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Medical Association has imposed sanctions on nine members of the association in Enugu and Delta states.

The decision was made during the NEC meeting and annual general/scientific conference held in Katsina state at the weekend.

The affected doctors are Dr. Esther Ekwe, Dr. Sunday Okafor, Dr. Nwachukwu Ogbonna, Dr. Jude Onyia, Dr. Onyebueze John Ugochukwu, and Dr. Sam Ohaegbulam in Enugu State, and Dr. Marcel Onochie, Dr. Samuel Agboma, and Dr. John Afam Osemen in Delta State.

The sanctions were imposed for taking the association to court without exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

According to the communique signed by NMA National President, Dr. Bala Audu, and National Secretary, Dr. Benjamin Egbo, released to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, the sanctions include ceasing to hold any office, no longer representing the association, and permanent disqualification from contesting for any elective position.

"NEC resolved to apply the provisions of Article 25, Section 8 to some members of the Association in Enugu State and Delta State who have taken the Nigerian Medical Association to court without recourse to the available internal dispute resolution mechanism of the Association," the communique stated.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 25, Section 8 of the NMA Constitution, “they shall cease to hold any office at all levels of the Association and within any recognised professional bodies.

“They shall no longer represent the Association in any capacity, including at state or FCT-Abuja delegate meetings.

“They are permanently disqualified from contesting for any elective position within the Association.”