EFCC Explains Visit to UUTH
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the visit of its operatives to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, in Akwa Ibom State, insisting that the mission was lawful and tied to an ongoing investigation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the Commission said operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate visited the hospital to authenticate a medical report submitted by a suspect currently standing trial before the Federal High Court in Uyo.
According to the EFCC, the suspect is facing allegations of defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank, and had presented a medical report from UUTH as part of proceedings before Justice M.A. Onyetunu.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that it had earlier written two separate letters to the hospital management on March 11 and April 20, 2026, requesting verification of the medical report but received no response.
It stated that the investigating officer handling the matter later visited the hospital to follow up on the request, but the effort also yielded no response from the management.
The Commission said operatives eventually visited the office of the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday as a last resort to seek clarification, alleging that they were instead locked inside the premises and attacked by some staff members who reportedly hurled stones and other objects at them.
The EFCC further alleged that the hospital management ordered the closure of the facility’s gates, preventing the operatives from leaving peacefully despite intervention from the police.
“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,” the statement said.
Despite the tension, the Commission maintained that its officers acted professionally and exercised restraint throughout the incident without disrupting hospital activities.
The EFCC stressed that its enquiries in the course of investigations are lawful and urged individuals and organisations to cooperate with the agency, warning that obstruction of its operations could attract legal consequences.equences.
