Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has vowed that any EFCC operative found guilty of misconduct during the controversial operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital will face disciplinary action.
The incident, which happened on May 12, sparked outrage after armed EFCC operatives allegedly assaulted and arrested Professor Eyo Ekpe alongside four other hospital workers during an operation at the Akwa Ibom-based teaching hospital.
Following widespread criticism from medical professionals and the public, Olukoyede ordered an official apology after reviewing a preliminary report on the incident.
In a statement shared on the commission’s X handle on Monday, the EFCC chairman expressed regret over the operation, admitting that the incident caused discomfort to hospital staff and members of the public.
“While acknowledging that the well-being of Nigerians is at the core of the Commission’s mandate, he expressed regret at the discomfort the unfortunate episode caused staff of the hospital and members of the public,” the statement read.
Olukoyede also confirmed that a full investigation had been launched into the incident and warned that any officer found to have violated the agency’s professional standards would face internal sanctions.
“Once the exercise is completed, any officer found to have acted outside the acceptable code of professional conduct would be subjected to the internal disciplinary process,” he stated.
The EFCC boss further assured stakeholders that the anti-graft agency would work closely with relevant institutions to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Despite the backlash trailing the operation, Olukoyede insisted that the commission would remain committed to fighting corruption and financial crimes across the country.
He also appealed to the Nigerian Medical Association and other professional bodies to continue supporting the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts.
The controversy began after Professor Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at UUTH, accused EFCC operatives of harassing and assaulting him during an attempt to arrest him over an alleged fake medical report.
Speaking during a press conference last week, Ekpe claimed the officers stormed his office and assaulted staff members during the operation.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, also confirmed that Ekpe and four other workers were arrested without prior notification to the hospital management.
Bassey disclosed that the medical report linked to the investigation was fake and suggested that some insiders within the hospital may have collaborated with external actors.
“One of the things we must get to the bottom of is how the lawyer handling the case got the fake medical report. There may be bad eggs within the hospital working with outsiders,” he said.
He further criticised the conduct of the operatives, stating that they failed to inform the hospital leadership or present an arrest warrant before carrying out the operation.
“At no point did they come to look for the CMD, the CMAC or the director of administration. They went to his office,” Bassey added.
Following the incident, the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Association of Resident Doctors at the hospital condemned the operation and embarked on industrial action.
The doctors demanded sanctions against the operatives involved, compensation for affected workers, public apologies in national newspapers, and repairs for damaged property.
