EFCC Alleges Operatives Attacked During Visit To Uyo Teaching Hospital

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has alleged that its operatives were attacked and trapped inside the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, during a visit connected to an ongoing fraud investigation in Akwa Ibom State.

 

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

 

According to the EFCC, the operatives had visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect currently standing trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court in Uyo over alleged fraud involving several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.

 

The Commission stated that the suspect had presented a medical report requiring authentication by the hospital management as part of the investigation.

 

It said two official letters dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, were sent to the hospital requesting confirmation of the report, but no response was received.

 

The EFCC added that after repeated unsuccessful attempts to obtain clarification, its investigating officer visited the hospital personally before operatives later met with the hospital’s Chief Medical Director on Tuesday.

 

Oyewale alleged that the operatives were subsequently locked inside the hospital premises and attacked by some staff members.

 

“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,” the statement read.

 

The Commission further claimed that the Chief Medical Director directed that the hospital gates be shut, preventing the operatives from leaving the premises.

 

According to the EFCC, police authorities in Akwa Ibom State intervened and advised that the gates be opened to allow the officers exit peacefully, but the request was allegedly ignored.

 

Despite the incident, the Commission said its operatives exercised restraint and eventually left the hospital without disrupting activities.

 

The EFCC also warned public institutions and corporate organisations against obstructing its investigations, stressing that cooperation with lawful enquiries remains mandatory.

 

“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,” Oyewale added.