EFCC clarifies hospitalvisit, citing alleged obstruction of a fraud investigation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFQ) clarified why its officers visited the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, stating that the visit formed part of an ongoing probe into an alleged multi‑bank fraud.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the anti‑corruption agency said operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate went to the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect who is currently on trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu.

The commission noted that the suspect is being held on remand for alleged fraud against several micro‑finance institutions, including the University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.

According to the EFCC, the suspect submitted a medical report that required confirmation from the hospital’s administration. The agency said it had previously sent two official letters, dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, to the hospital requesting verification, but had received no reply.

“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,” the statement said.

The commission added that when operatives entered the office of the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday as a “last resort,” they encountered hostility from some hospital staff.

EFCC officials claimed the operatives were “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 agency also alleged that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director ordered the gates to be closed, preventing the operatives from completing what the EFCC described as a lawful inquiry.

It further said the Nigeria Police Force intervened, advising hospital authorities to reopen the gates so the EFCC team could leave peacefully, a request that was allegedly ignored.

Despite the confrontation, the commission maintained that its operatives behaved professionally and did not disrupt hospital activities.

“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 statement added.

The EFCC emphasized that requests related to its operational duties are lawful and warned that refusing to cooperate with investigations could constitute obstruction of justice, carrying possible legal consequences.