By Desire Emmanuel
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, May 12, gave details of its visit to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State.
There were videos that went viral on Tuesday morning where the operatives ‘invaded’ the tertiary hospital and ‘abducted’ the Chief Medical Director.
However, the EFCC, in a statement regarding the various allegations on social media, disclosed that its operatives went there to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand by Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.
The agency also accused the Chief Medical Director of ordering the gate of the hospital locked, thereby preventing them from leaving, while also alleging that some staff threw various objects at them.
The statement reads: “The Tuesday, May 12 visit of operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was informed by the need to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand by Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.
“The suspect had presented a medical report which required authentication by the UUTH management. The
commission wrote two different letters, dated March 11 and April 20 to the hospital management to this effect without receiving any response. 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.
“As a last resort, operatives of the commission visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries, only to be 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.
“While within the hospital, the CMD reportedly directed that gates of the facility be shut, making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made. Police authorities in Akwa Ibom State advised the CMD to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully but the entreaties were turned down.
“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.
“Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the commission are lawful. It is therefore necessary to remind the public and corporate bodies that they are obligated to cooperate with the agency in such circumstances. Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences.”
