EFCC says its agents were attacked and trapped inside Uyo Teaching Hospital

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Tuesday that its officers were assaulted and confined inside the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) while conducting a visit related to a fraud case involving a suspect accused of defrauding several micro‑finance banks in Akwa Ibom State.

The agency explained that its operatives went to the hospital to authenticate a medical report submitted by the suspect, who is currently on remand before Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court in Uyo, after repeated attempts to obtain clarification from hospital management were unsuccessful.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, issued a statement accusing certain staff members of obstructing lawful inquiries and attacking the commission’s officers during the visit.

The EFCC noted that the suspect is facing trial for alleged fraud affecting multiple micro‑finance institutions, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.

According to the commission, the suspect presented a medical report that required verification by the hospital’s management as part of the investigation.

The agency said it sent two letters to the hospital management—dated 11 March and 20 April 2026—requesting confirmation of the report, but received no reply.

Subsequently, the investigating officer visited the hospital in person to follow up on the request, yet still obtained no response.

Oyewale said: “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.”

“While within the hospital, the CMD reportedly directed that gates of the facility be shut, making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made.”

“Police authorities in Akwa Ibom State advised the CMD to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully but the entreaties were turned down.”

Despite the tension inside the hospital, the EFCC said its operatives exercised restraint and eventually left the premises without disrupting activities at the facility.

Consequently, the commission warned public institutions and corporate organisations against obstructing its operations, emphasizing that cooperation with the agency during investigations is a legal obligation.

“Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the Commission are lawful. 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.

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