EFCC Explains Visit to UUTH, Cites Alleged Obstruction in Fraud Investigation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained the circumstances surrounding the visit of its operatives to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, saying the action was part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged multi-bank fraud case.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate visited the hospital to authenticate a medical report submitted by a suspect currently standing trial before Justice M.A. Onyetunu.

According to the Commission, the suspect is under remand over allegations of defrauding several microfinance institutions, including the University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.

The EFCC stated that the suspect had presented a medical report requiring confirmation from the hospital management. It added that two official letters dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, were earlier sent to the hospital seeking verification, but no response was received.

“The Investigating Officer handling the matter took the further step of visiting the hospital to enquire about the status of the request. Still, no response,” the statement said.

The commission further alleged that when operatives visited the office of the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday as a “last resort,” they were met with hostility from some hospital staff.

According to the EFCC, the 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 agency also claimed that the hospital’s Chief Medical Director ordered the gates of the facility shut, preventing operatives from carrying out what it described as a lawful inquiry.

It added that the Nigeria Police Force intervened and advised hospital authorities to reopen the gates to allow the EFCC team to leave peacefully, but the request was allegedly ignored.

Despite the confrontation, the commission maintained 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 ways out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities,” the statement added.

The EFCC stressed that requests relating to its operational duties are lawful and warned that refusal to cooperate with investigations could amount to obstruction of justice, with possible legal consequences.