RALEIGH, North Carolina — A 61-year-old Nigerian traditional ruler and licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Ekelekamchukwu Alphonsus Ngwadom, has been convicted and sentenced in North Carolina for defrauding the state's Medicaid program by submitting fraudulent claims totaling $72,014.66 for behavioral health services to 27 Medicaid recipients, including numerous children, that were never provided. The case, announced by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson on January 13, 2026, highlights ongoing efforts to combat health care fraud that diverts resources from vulnerable populations.
Ngwadom, who operates under the professional name Alphonsus Ekele Ngwadom, pleaded guilty to 27 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. These felony charges stem from more than 200 false reimbursement claims submitted through his Raleigh-based practice, Almarch Counseling Services, PLLC, between February 18, 2020, and March 18, 2021. The fraudulent billing targeted services purportedly delivered as part of an after-school program, which prosecutors noted was not operational due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The investigation originated from a referral by Alliance Health, the managed care organization responsible for public behavioral health services in several Triangle-area counties, including Wake, Johnston, and Durham. In 2020, Alliance Health's program integrity section flagged potential overlapping services when a legitimate claim was submitted for one of the affected children. Parents of the minor informed investigators that their family had never received any services from Ngwadom or Almarch Counseling. Records revealed that Ngwadom had submitted 52 claims for that family's two children alone between January and October 2020.
Prosecutor Tracy Grimes of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office detailed in court how Ngwadom had previously interacted with some families through the after-school program from 2016 to 2019. However, during the pandemic period, he billed Medicaid for therapy sessions that never occurred. In some instances, families reported that Ngwadom visited their homes offering services, which they declined, yet claims were still submitted. The fraudulent activity not only resulted in improper payments but also potentially prevented some children from accessing legitimate mental health care from their actual providers, exacerbating vulnerabilities during a challenging time.
Alliance Health initially processed and paid the claims before its integrity team detected irregularities, triggering a formal probe by the Medicaid Investigations Division (MID) of the North Carolina Department of Justice. The investigation, supported by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, culminated in charges filed against Ngwadom on January 30, 2025—following a multi-year inquiry that began around 2022.
In Wake County Superior Court before Judge Winston Gilchrist, Ngwadom initially hesitated when asked if he was guilty, shaking his head several times before whispering, “Yes, sir.” He later apologized to the court, visibly emotional and wiping tears with his shirt sleeve, stating, “This is not typically who I am.” His defense attorney, Lauren Toole, argued that the fraud occurred amid severe financial hardship caused by the pandemic, which led to the closure of his business operations, foreclosure on his home, and significant personal distress. Toole noted that Ngwadom had secured a second mortgage on his property to facilitate repayment of the full restitution amount.
Judge Gilchrist rejected the prosecution's request for active prison time, instead imposing two consecutive sentences of 6-17 months each, fully suspended for 36 months of supervised probation. Conditions include 90 days of house arrest starting immediately, payment of $72,014.66 in restitution to Alliance Health (with $45,000 due by January 21, 2026), and completion of 100 hours of community service. Ngwadom must also comply with all probation terms; violation could result in serving a minimum of one year and up to three years in prison. Successful adherence may allow transfer to unsupervised probation after two years.
As part of the plea agreement, Ngwadom surrendered his professional licenses, including his North Carolina license as a clinical mental health counselor (obtained in March 2015). He founded Almarch Counseling in September 2015 and has served in various community roles, including as Chairman of the African Diaspora Coalition of North Carolina and CEO of Almarch Family Care, LLC. Court documents and public records indicate he previously held a position as a Professor of Psychology and Sociology at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina.
Ngwadom's dual identity as a U.S.-based professional and traditional leader adds a layer of complexity to the case. In 2021, following the death of his father, the late HRH Sir Eze Alphonsus Ngwadom, Obianoekwu III, he was coronated on April 16, 2021, as HRH Sir Eze Alphonsus Obianokwu IV of Mbubu, Amiri Kingdom in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Community leaders at the time praised his education, exposure, and experience, expressing confidence that he would lead with integrity and drive development in the ancient kingdom.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson emphasized the broader implications of such fraud. “When people defraud the Medicaid program, they are stealing money from North Carolina taxpayers and from those who rely on this care,” he stated. “My office will not allow it, and we’re going to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prevent fraud.” Medicaid, a joint federal-state program, provides essential medical coverage to low-income individuals, including children and those with behavioral health needs.
The case underscores the challenges of safeguarding public health funds during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, when many providers faced economic strain. While Ngwadom's defense highlighted personal hardship as a contributing factor, prosecutors stressed the harm to Medicaid beneficiaries and the integrity of the system. With restitution underway and probation in effect, the resolution allows Ngwadom to avoid incarceration while holding him accountable for the fraudulent scheme.
This conviction is part of a larger effort by North Carolina authorities to investigate and prosecute health care fraud, which has involved multi-million-dollar settlements in other cases. The MID continues to encourage reports of suspected fraud through its dedicated hotline.
