By Nkechi Eze
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were reportedly attacked by staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital during an official visit to the hospital over the authentication of a medical report linked to an ongoing fraud investigation.
According to an official signed statement by EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the Commission said the visit to the hospital on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, was connected to investigations involving a suspect standing trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, for allegedly defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
The EFCC disclosed that the suspect had submitted a medical report purportedly issued by the hospital, prompting the Commission to seek official verification from the hospital management.
The anti-graft agency stated that two separate letters dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, were sent to the hospital requesting authentication of the document but no response was received. It added that the Investigating Officer handling the matter later visited the hospital personally to follow up on the request, yet no clarification was provided.
The Commission explained that its operatives subsequently visited the office of the Chief Medical Director of the hospital as a final step to obtain the needed information but were allegedly met with hostility.
According to the statement, staff of the hospital reportedly raised a false alarm and attacked the operatives with stones and other dangerous objects, while the Chief Medical Director allegedly ordered the closure of the hospital gates, preventing the officials from leaving the premises.
The EFCC further revealed that the Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State intervened and appealed to the hospital management to reopen the gates to allow the operatives exit peacefully, but the request was allegedly ignored.
Despite the tension, the Commission maintained that its operatives acted professionally and exercised restraint throughout the incident, stressing that no breakdown of law and order occurred within the hospital premises.
The EFCC emphasized that enquiries related to its investigative activities are lawful and warned that refusal to cooperate with the Commission in the course of investigations could amount to obstruction of justice, which carries legal consequences under the law.
