By Desire Emmanuel
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, May 18, apologised to Professor Eyo Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), over the alleged attacks on the hospital staff by its personnel.
This followed various negative comments received by the commission after its operatives carried out a raid on the premises of the tertiary health institution and allegedly molested the professor.
However, on Monday, Chairman of the anti graft agency, Mr Ola Olukoyede, directed that an apology be made by the commission to both the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee as well as the NMA.
Doctors in the hospital, under the aegis of NMA, protested over the alleged invasion, vowing to stop work until the EFCC apologises over the incident.
But on Monday, while acknowledging that the well-being of Nigerians is at the core of the commission’s mandate, Olukoyede expressed regret at the discomfort the unfortunate episode caused staff of the hospital and members of the public.
Reiterating the commission’s decision ordering a full investigation of the incident, he assured that once the exercise is completed, any officer found to have acted outside of the acceptable code of professional conduct would be subjected to the internal disciplinary process.
He also expressed determination to work with stakeholders to resolve all the issues and forestall a repeat of such episodes in future, while at the same time stating that the incident would not detract the commission from pressing ahead with the execution of its mandate in any part of Nigeria.
