The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said its operatives visited the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, to authenticate a medical report submitted by a fraud suspect remanded by Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo.
In a statement, the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC said the suspect is standing trial for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank. The suspect had presented a medical report that required verification by UUTH management. The Commission wrote to the hospital on 11 March 2026 and again on 20 April 2026, but received no response, it said.
An investigating officer later visited the hospital to follow up, still without response, the EFCC stated. As a “last resort,” operatives went to see the Chief Medical Director on Tuesday to make further enquiries. The agency alleged that staff locked the operatives in, raised a false alarm, and pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.
The EFCC added that the CMD reportedly directed that the hospital gates be shut, preventing lawful enquiry. Police authorities in Akwa Ibom State advised the CMD to open the gates to allow a peaceful exit, but the request was turned down, according to the Commission. Despite the hostility, the operatives “exercised restraint” and left without disrupting hospital activities, and there was no breakdown of law and order, the statement said.
The Commission stressed that enquiries on operational matters are lawful and reminded the public and corporate bodies of their obligation to cooperate. “Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences,” it said.
