Why we visited Uyo Teaching Hospital – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has explained reasons behind its operatives’ presence at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, in Akwa-Ibom State in the early hours of Tuesday. The anti-graft agency, in response to the declaration made by the health workers in the institution that they would embark on strike because of the […]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has explained reasons behind its operatives’ presence at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, in Akwa-Ibom State in the early hours of Tuesday.
The anti-graft agency, in response to the declaration made by the health workers in the institution that they would embark on strike because of the alleged invasion, said its operatives were pelted with stones and other dangerous objects by the UUTH staff.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesman of the commission, in an interview with journalists in Abuja, explained that the operatives only went to the hospital to get authentication of a medical report belonging to a suspect in line with the Court’s directive.
He said Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, had instructed the agency to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand.
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According to him, the suspect was remanded for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank, saying its medical report needed to be authenticated by the hospital.
Oyewale explained, “The suspect had presented a medical report which required authentication by the UUTH management.
“The Commission wrote two different letters, dated March 11, 2026 and April 20, 2026, to the hospital management to this effect without receiving any response.
“The Investigating Officer handling the matter took the further step of visiting the hospital to enquire about the status of the request. Still, no response.
“As a last resort, operatives of the Commission visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries, only to be locked in with a false alarm and subjected to unprovoked attack by misguided staff of the facility who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.
‘While within the hospital, the CMD reportedly directed that gates of the facility be shut, making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made.
“Police authorities in Akwa Ibom State advised the CMD to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully but the entreaties were turned down.”
He explained further that in spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order as the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their ways out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities.
The anti-graft agency spokesman added, “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.
“Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences.”