The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has mandated a formal inquiry into the confrontation between its personnel and staff at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), following allegations that Professor Eyo Ekpe, a prominent cardiologist, was assaulted. This move comes after the incident on May 12 triggered an indefinite strike by doctors and health workers, despite the Chief Medical Director’s plea for them to return to duty to safeguard critically ill patients.
In a statement on Friday, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale expressed the commission’s dismay over the brutality accusations, though he noted no physical signs of injury have been confirmed. He confirmed that any operative found violating the agency’s Standard Operating Procedure would face disciplinary action. Oyewale further clarified that the visit to UUTH was purely administrative—aimed at verifying a document—and not an arrest operation. He claimed no arrests were made and hospital staff who accompanied operatives to the zonal office were not detained.
Urging restraint, Oyewale appreciated stakeholders working toward a peaceful resolution and warned against allowing fifth columnists to exploit the situation to hinder Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.