The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged assault on a senior medical practitioner during a recent operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The association said it would seek damages amounting to N1 billion, citing what it described as physical, emotional, professional, and institutional harm resulting from the incident.
The controversy followed an operation carried out by EFCC operatives at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday during an investigation involving a fraud suspect. The anti-graft agency reportedly visited the facility to verify a medical report submitted by the suspect.
In its reaction, the EFCC maintained that its officials later approached the hospital’s Chief Medical Director to obtain further clarification after initial inquiries.
The commission, however, stated that the team withdrew from the premises without disrupting hospital activities after encountering resistance.
But the Akwa Ibom NMA alleged that the operation turned violent, resulting in the assault of Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital.
Addressing journalists in Uyo, the state chairman of the NMA, Professor Aniekan Peter, said the decision to head to court was reached during an emergency meeting of the association.
He alleged that masked EFCC operatives apprehended Professor Eyo Ekpe within the hospital premises and subjected him to physical assault.
“We observed that Professor Eyo Ekpe was apprehended within the premises of UUTH by masked EFCC operatives who physically assaulted him and handcuffed him alongside doctors and hospital staff who tried to intervene,” Peter said.
The NMA chairman further alleged that he was affected during the incident while attempting to understand the situation.
“I was shoved and exposed to teargas when I approached the scene to seek clarification from the operatives,” he stated.
Describing hospitals as sacred spaces that should not be subjected to violent operations, the association condemned the incident, calling it “barbaric, degrading, inhuman and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment.”
The association announced plans to file a N1 billion lawsuit against the EFCC over the alleged damages suffered.
“We shall institute legal action against the EFCC and seek damages in the sum of N1bn for the physical, emotional, professional and institutional damages caused,” the association declared.
A communique read by the Assistant Secretary of the association, Dr Unyime Ndoh, and endorsed by Professor Peter alongside Secretary Dr Ighorodje Edesiri, also warned that members may suspend services until their demands are met.
Among the demands listed were a public apology to affected doctors, identification and prosecution of operatives involved in the incident, and accountability over the alleged raid.
The association also insisted there had been no formal invitation to Professor Ekpe or the leadership of the association before the incident occurred. It further announced that medical services would not be extended to EFCC personnel and their relatives until the matter is resolved.
