By Our Correspondent
UYO, Nigeria – Chaos erupted at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) on Tuesday when staff and management allegedly orchestrated a “false alarm” and locked Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives inside the facility.
The detectives, from the Uyo Zonal Directorate, were at the hospital to verify the authenticity of a medical report submitted by a high-profile suspect currently standing trial for allegedly defrauding multiple microfinance banks.
The afternoon took a violent turn when the Chief Medical Director (CMD) reportedly ordered the hospital gates shut, effectively holding the federal agents captive.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of “unprovoked hostility” as misguided hospital staff pelted the officers with stones and dangerous objects.
Despite the intervention of Akwa Ibom State Police, who advised the CMD to open the gates and allow the operatives to leave peacefully, the hospital management reportedly refused to budge.
The EFCC’s visit was the climax of a two-month investigation into a suspicious medical claim. The suspect, under remand by Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, is accused of swindling several institutions, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
”The Commission wrote two different letters, dated March 11 and April 20, 2026, requesting authentication of the suspect’s medical status,” an EFCC source revealed. “Both were ignored. Even a follow-up visit by the Investigating Officer yielded no results.”
Despite being under siege, EFCC officials maintained that their operatives exercised extreme professional restraint. Sources say the team managed to exit the premises without discharging firearms or disrupting medical activities, despite the barrage of stones.
The Commission has now issued a stern warning to the public and corporate bodies, reminding them that obstructing a lawful investigation is a criminal offense.
The case centers on a major financial fraud investigation involving several microfinance banks in Akwa Ibom State. The suspect in question is facing charges for allegedly siphoning funds from grassroots lending institutions.
After being remanded in custody by the Federal High Court, the suspect produced a medical report claiming a condition that would potentially secure bail or a transfer from prison to a luxury hospital bed.
In Nigeria, high-profile suspects frequently use “medical reports” as a legal maneuver to evade detention. The EFCC has recently intensified its crackdown on these tactics, often discovering that such reports are forged or exaggerated with the help of complicit medical professionals.
By refusing to respond to official correspondence (dated March and April 2026) and subsequently “locking in” federal agents, the UUTH management now faces potential charges of Obstruction of Justice.
Under Nigerian law, preventing a law enforcement officer from carrying out their duty can lead to heavy fines and imprisonment for the individuals involved.
