Crisis Engulfs Medical Laboratory Scientists Association

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Crisis is brewing in the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) between the incumbent president, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi and another faction led by Dr. Uche Odionyenna.

THISDAY gathered that the Odionyenna group had stormed the headquarters of the association in Durumi District in Abuja on Tuesday, claiming to have taken over the leadership of the body. He cited a court judgement delivered in 2023, during the tenure of the immediate past president of the association, Prof. James Garba Damen.

The aggrieved faction based their claim on judgement of National Industrial Court in 2023, which sacked the then National President of AMLSN), Prof. James Garba Damen, shortly before the expiration of his tenure and ordered the recognition of Odionyenna as President.

However, Ifeanyi dismissed the claim of the faction, insisting that the new national executive which he leads emerged through a legally conducted election held on 18th November 2023.

Ifeanyi who addressed a Press Conference in Abuja, yesterday, said he and the present national executive were duly elected at the expiration of the tenure of the former Damen-led executive.

He said he was responding to the alleged brazen illegality that took place yesterday (Tuesday) in order to set the records straight.

Ifeanyi said: “First is that I was elected on November 18, 2023 as the 15th national president of AMLSN and that my election was not subject to any ligation in any court of law in Nigeria till date.

“We have continued to work harmoniously amongst the national executive and the teaming members of the association.

“So anybody who is parading himself as having been sworn in yesterday is an imposter.

“It’s illegal, because it is not backed by the order of court. There cannot be two presidents until my tenure elapses, I remain the president, and my tenure will be elapsing in 2026.”

Ifeanyi, further stated that in line with the constitution of AMLSN, as amended (2023), he remained the head of the association. 

He appealed to all members of the association both at home and diaspora, to remain calm, adding that a Special General meeting of the association would be convened at the weekend at the headquarters in Abuja, where a position would be articulated on how to move the body forward.