EFCC Apologises As A’Ibom Govt Resolves UUTH Altercation

UYO, AKWA IBOM – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has tendered an apology over the recent altercation involving its operatives and officials of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), following the intervention of the Akwa Ibom State Government which successfully resolved the dispute and secured the suspension of industrial action earlier declared by health sector unions.

The development was disclosed at the end of a joint stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Akwa Ibom State Government on Friday at the Old EXCO Chambers, Governor’s Office, Uyo, and made public via the social media handle of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udo.

The meeting, convened on the directive of Governor Umo Eno and chaired by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, brought together representatives of the state government, EFCC, security agencies, management of UUTH, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and other key stakeholders in the health sector.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, participants unanimously described the incident as “unfortunate and entirely avoidable,” with stakeholders strongly condemning the confrontation that led to heightened tension within the state’s health system.

Indirectly referencing the position of stakeholders, the communiqué noted that “all parties agreed that the altercation was unnecessary and should not have occurred,” stressing the need for improved coordination between security agencies and health institutions.

In a more direct admission, the EFCC delegation at the meeting “expressed regret over the incident and apologised to all affected parties,” including senior officials of the hospital and leaders of health sector unions.

The apology specifically covered the Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Prof. Emem Bassey; Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Eyo Ekpe; JOHESU Chairman, Mr. Akanubong Asuquo; NMA Chairman, Prof. Aniekan Peter; and representatives of the nurses’ union.

The anti-graft agency further assured stakeholders that a formal apology would be issued by its headquarters, while pledging that “such an incident will not recur.”

As part of the resolutions reached, the EFCC and the management of UUTH are expected to establish stronger communication channels to ensure lawful and professional handling of any ongoing or future investigations involving the institution.

Stakeholders also urged security and law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and strictly adhere to due process when engaging with healthcare facilities, warning that disruptions to medical services could endanger lives.

The meeting further reaffirmed what was described as the “sanctity of hospitals,” stressing that the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and visitors must be protected at all times.

On the administrative front, it was resolved that the state government would participate in efforts to identify individuals allegedly linked to fake medical reports connected to the incident, with a commitment that “anyone found culpable will face justice.”

The Akwa Ibom State Government commended the EFCC Chairman for ordering an investigation into the matter, as well as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for setting up a panel of inquiry into the incident.

In a key outcome of the meeting, health sector unions agreed, after consultations with their respective congresses—to suspend the strike action in the interest of public health and industrial harmony.

The communiqué also directed all parties to refrain from further media exchanges capable of escalating tensions, while a liaison committee comprising representatives of the state government, UUTH management, EFCC, and health unions will be constituted to monitor implementation of the resolutions.

Ekerete Udo, via his official social media handle, confirmed the outcome of the meeting and the resolutions reached, noting the swift intervention of the state government in restoring calm and industrial peace.