The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that its operatives were attacked and briefly trapped inside the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) during an official visit linked to an ongoing fraud investigation in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the Commission, its officers had gone to the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect currently standing trial before M.A. Onyetunu at the Federal High Court in Uyo. The suspect is accused of defrauding multiple microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
The EFCC explained that prior attempts to obtain clarification from the hospital management were unsuccessful, despite letters sent on March 11 and April 20, 2026. Following the lack of response, an investigating officer reportedly visited the hospital but still received no cooperation, prompting a final visit by a team of operatives.
In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, the Commission alleged that the situation escalated when hospital staff obstructed the operatives. The agency claimed its officers were locked inside the premises after a false alarm was raised, and were subsequently attacked with stones and other objects.
The statement further alleged that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director ordered the closure of the gates, preventing the operatives from leaving. Efforts by police authorities in the state to de-escalate the situation and secure their release were reportedly unsuccessful at the time.
Despite the tension, the EFCC noted that its operatives exercised restraint and eventually exited the facility without disrupting hospital activities. The agency, however, expressed concern over what it described as deliberate obstruction of lawful investigation.
The Commission has since warned public institutions and organisations to cooperate with its operations, stressing that failure to do so could amount to a criminal offence. It maintained that all enquiries conducted as part of its investigations are lawful and must be treated as such.
The incident has raised fresh questions about inter-agency cooperation and the challenges faced during sensitive investigations, particularly those involving medical documentation and institutional accountability.