Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has declared that any officer found to have gone against the established professional standards will face disciplinary action following an incident involving commission’s operatives and staff from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Cross River State.
The incident occurred on May 12, following a visit to the teaching hospital by armed commission agents who allegedly assaulted the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Professor Eyo Ekpe, and four other staff members.
Following a preliminary review of the incident, Olukoyede directed that an official apology be issued.
In a statement posted on the EFCC’s X handle on Monday, he said the decision was taken to address concerns raised by the medical community and members of the public affected by the incident.
He expressed regret over the development, noting that the conduct of the operatives did not reflect the standards expected of the commission.
“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 reads.
Olukoyede also reaffirmed that a full investigation into the incident had been ordered, adding that any officer found wanting would face internal disciplinary measures.
His words, “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.”
The EFCC chairman further assured stakeholders that the commission would work closely with relevant bodies to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Despite the controversy, Olukoyede maintained that the agency would continue to carry out its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes across Nigeria without distraction.
Truth Live News Media reports that days back, masked EFCC operatives arrived at UUTH to arrest Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon and the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC).
The EFCC claimed they visited UUTH to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect in their custody, alleging they had written to the hospital twice (March 11 and April 20, 2026) without receiving a response.
Eyewitnesses reported that Prof. Ekpe was preparing to perform surgery and requested the operatives wait, but he was instead dragged out of his office, causing other staff to gather in protest and attempt to stop the arrest.
Hospital staff locked the gates to prevent the operatives from leaving with the doctor, which led the EFCC team to call for reinforcement.
During the confrontation, armed operatives allegedly fired shots and sprayed tear gas within the hospital premises to disperse the staff, resulting in panic, with patients, including newborns, left in danger.
Following the incident, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Akwa Ibom State declared an immediate indefinite strike and total shutdown of the hospital, demanding a public apology and a N1 billion fine from the EFCC
