RismadarVoice Reporters
May 12, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has explained the circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, insisting its operatives were on a lawful assignment and did not disrupt activities within the facility.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Uyo.
According to the EFCC, the suspect is being prosecuted for allegedly defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
The Commission stated that the medical report presented by the suspect required authentication from the hospital management, prompting the agency to send official letters dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, seeking clarification.
It noted that despite the correspondence and subsequent follow-up visits by the investigating officer handling the case, the hospital management allegedly failed to respond.
The EFCC said its operatives later visited the office of the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday as a “last resort” to make further enquiries regarding the matter.
According to the agency, the operatives were allegedly locked inside the hospital premises after the Chief Medical Director ordered the closure of the gates.
The Commission further claimed that some hospital staff attacked its personnel with stones and other objects during the incident.
It added that efforts by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to persuade the hospital management to reopen the gates were unsuccessful.
Despite the tension, the EFCC maintained that its operatives exercised restraint and exited the premises professionally without causing any breakdown of law and order or disrupting medical activities.
The agency stressed that requests for information relating to investigations are lawful and warned that obstructing its operations could attract legal consequences.
“Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the Commission are lawful. It is therefore necessary to remind the public and corporate bodies that they are obligated to cooperate with the agency in such circumstances,” the statement read.
The clarification comes amid growing controversy over the incident, which has already triggered an indefinite strike action by the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association over allegations of assault and intimidation of medical personnel during the operation.
