EFCC Explains Raid on University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Accuses Staff of Unprovoked Attack

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that its operatives visited the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, solely to authenticate a medical report submitted by a fraud suspect currently standing trial.

According to the anti-graft agency’s Uyo Zonal Directorate, the visit became necessary after repeated unsuccessful attempts to get a response from the hospital management.

The suspect, who is under remand by Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, is facing charges for allegedly defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.

The Commission had written two formal letters dated March 11, 2026, and April 20, 2026, requesting authentication of the medical report, but received no reply. An Investigating Officer later visited the hospital in person to follow up on the requests, yet still got no response.

“As a last resort, operatives visited the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday to make further enquiries,” the EFCC stated. However, the team was allegedly locked inside the hospital premises after the CMD reportedly ordered the gates shut.

The operatives were then subjected to an unprovoked attack by some members of the hospital staff, who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects, following a false alarm.

The agency noted that despite appeals from police authorities in Akwa Ibom State urging the CMD to open the gates for peaceful exit, the request was ignored. The EFCC operatives, however, exercised restraint and professionally exited the premises without disrupting hospital activities.

The Commission stressed that enquiries relating to its operational engagements are lawful and warned that failure to cooperate with the agency could amount to obstruction of justice, which is a criminal offence.

“The public and corporate bodies are obligated to cooperate with the Commission in such circumstances. Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences,” the statement added.

No official reaction has been received yet from the management of UUTH as of the time of this report.