EFCC Explains Chaotic Operation at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Amidst Suspect Verification

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided a detailed account of the chaotic operation that unfolded at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) on Tuesday. The anti-graft agency clarified that its Uyo Zonal Directorate operatives were present to authenticate a medical report submitted by a suspect currently on trial for alleged fraud.

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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.

According to the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspect, who is in remand under Judge M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court in Uyo, is accused of defrauding multiple microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank. The commission had previously written to the hospital management on March 11 and April 20, requesting confirmation of the suspect's medical report, but received no response.

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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.

Oyewale further explained that the investigating officer's follow-up visit also yielded no results. Consequently, operatives visited the Chief Medical Director's (CMD) office as a "last resort" to make further inquiries. It was at this point, the EFCC alleges, that 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."

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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 EFCC statement also claims that the CMD directed the hospital gates to be shut, preventing the operatives from leaving. Despite the hostility, the commission asserts that its operatives exercised restraint and left the premises without disrupting hospital activities. The EFCC reiterated that its inquiries are lawful and warned public and private institutions against obstructing its operations, emphasizing the obligation to cooperate with such investigations.

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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.