The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that its operatives were attacked while carrying out lawful investigative duties at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the Commission, its officers were on official duty at the hospital to verify medical documents connected to a suspect currently facing trial over alleged financial crimes involving several microfinance banks.
The EFCC stated that the hospital visit followed earlier attempts to authenticate a medical re port submitted by the defendant in court proceedings at the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo.
The agency explained that it had already written to the hospital management on two occasions requesting confirmation of the document, but did not receive a response. This, it said, necessitated a physical visit by its operatives to clarify the issue.
The situation reportedly escalated when EFCC officers arrived at the Chief Medical Director’s office for further enquiries.
Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale, alleged that hospital gates were locked and that staff raised a false alarm, which led to an attack on the operatives.
He further claimed that some hospital workers and individuals within the premises resorted to pelting the officers with stones and other objects during the confrontation.
According to the EFCC, the operatives were also temporarily restricted from leaving the premises as the hospital gates remained shut during the incident.
The Commission stated that police authorities in Akwa Ibom were eventually contacted and advised hospital management to open the gates to allow EFCC operatives to exit safely.
It alleged that this intervention was initially ignored, but the situation was later de-escalated, allowing the officers to leave without further disruption to hospital activities.
Despite the confrontation, the EFCC maintained that its personnel acted professionally and exercised restraint throughout the incident.
Following the event, the anti-graft agency issued a strong warning to public institutions and organisations, stressing that obstruction of lawful investigations constitutes a criminal offence.
The Commission reiterated that its enquiries are backed by law and urged full cooperation from all relevant institutions during official investigations.
It added that any action aimed at obstructing its operations could attract legal consequences under Nigerian law.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions that sometimes accompany enforcement operations involving sensitive public institutions. While the EFCC insists its actions were lawful and procedural, responses from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital management are still being awaited as the matter continues to draw public attention.
