EFCC explains hospital visit, cites alleged obstruction in fraud investigation
EFCC Clarifies Visit to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital Amid Ongoing Fraud Investigation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has provided details regarding a recent visit by its operatives to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. The visit is part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged multi-bank fraud case.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency explained that operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate went to the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by a suspect currently undergoing trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu.
The suspect faces allegations of defrauding several microfinance institutions, including the University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank. The EFCC noted that the suspect had submitted a medical report requiring confirmation from the hospital’s management. Previous requests for verification were made in two letters, dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, but went unanswered.
“The Investigating Officer handling the matter took the further step of visiting the hospital to inquire about the status of the request. Still, no response was received,” the agency stated.
The commission alleged that when operatives approached the office of the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday, they were met with hostility from some hospital staff. According to the EFCC, 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.”
The statement further claimed that the Chief Medical Director ordered the hospital gates shut, preventing operatives from conducting what the agency described as a lawful inquiry. The Nigeria Police Force intervened, advising hospital authorities to reopen the gates to allow the EFCC team to exit safely; however, this request was reportedly ignored.
Despite the confrontation, the EFCC asserted that its operatives acted professionally and did not disrupt hospital activities. “In spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order as the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their way out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities,” the statement added.
The EFCC emphasized that requests related to its operational duties are lawful, warning that failure to cooperate with investigations could result in charges of obstruction of justice, with potential legal repercussions.
