The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Council, has announced its intention to file a N1 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This action follows an alleged assault on Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgery expert at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
During an emergency virtual meeting on Tuesday, the association issued a communiqué outlining ten resolutions, including the legal action. The NMA condemned the incident, describing it as a direct attack on the integrity of the medical profession.
According to reports, EFCC operatives invaded UUTH under the pretext of verifying a medical report linked to a suspect. They forcibly arrested Professor Ekpe, subjecting him to public humiliation and physical harm. Witnesses stated that the professor was beaten, handcuffed, and paraded in a degrading manner, despite his attempts to explain that the hospital was processing the request.
At a press conference on Wednesday, NMA Chairman Professor Aniekan Peter, who was also affected during the confrontation, expressed outrage. He emphasized that the assault on a professor performing his lawful duties is unacceptable. The union noted a troubling pattern of harassment by security agencies and vowed to take a stand.
Key demands from the NMA include a formal apology from the EFCC, identification and prosecution of the officers involved, and a guarantee of no further violations. The union has declared an indefinite strike, suspending all medical services until their conditions are met. Additionally, the NMA resolved to deny medical care to EFCC officials and their relatives.
The communiqué detailed that masked operatives physically assaulted Professor Ekpe, causing bleeding, and also used teargas on Professor Peter when he intervened. The NMA described the hospital as a sacred space for healing, not a battleground for security operations. The lawsuit seeks N1 billion in damages for physical, emotional, and professional harm, aiming to deter future misconduct.