EFCC orders investigation into alleged assault on UUTH professor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered an investigation into an incident involving its operatives and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). The incident, which took place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, allegedly resulted in the brutalisation of Professor Eyo Ekpe, a leading cardiologist in Nigeria.

Following the event, doctors and other health workers at UUTH have launched an indefinite strike. The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, has appealed to union leaders to resume work for the benefit of critically ill patients.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale expressed the commission’s outrage over the allegations of brutality against hospital staff, noting that no physical evidence of bodily harm or injury had yet been seen.

Oyewale added that any commission staff found to have deviated from the agency’s Standard Operating Procedure during the inquiry would face sanctions. He praised stakeholders who helped achieve a peaceful resolution and warned against fifth columnists exploiting the situation and undermining Nigeria’s fight against corruption.

Explaining the purpose of the EFCC’s visit to UUTH, Oyewale said, “The presence of the commission’s operatives in the facility on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, was purely administrative, to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than a tactical operation to effect an arrest. Contrary to the information making the rounds, no arrests were made and the staff of the hospital who followed our operatives to the zonal command were not detained.”

He reiterated that the commission had ordered an investigation into the incident and that any staff member found to have deviated from the Standard Operating Procedure would be held accountable.