The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied arresting any staff member of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) during a recent operation at the hospital.
ThelensNG reports that EFCC operatives allegedly assaulted medical personnel and apprehended Prof. Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the facility.
In a statement issued on Friday to further clarify the incident, the Commission disclosed that the presence of its operatives at the facility on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, was purely administrative and intended to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than to carry out an arrest operation.
“Contrary to the information making the rounds, no arrests were made and the staff of the hospital that followed our operatives to the Zonal Command were not detained. The Commission is outraged by the allegations of brutalisation of staff of the hospital.
“Even though we have not seen any physical evidence of such brutality in terms of bodily harm or injury to anyone, including to the staff members who addressed the media on this issue, the Commission as a responsible organisation, has ordered an investigation into the incident,” the EFCC said.
The Commission assured the public that any staff member found to have violated its Standard Operating Procedures would be sanctioned, adding that it is awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
The anti-graft agency also acknowledged stakeholders who have expressed concern over the amicable resolution of the issue and reassured the public, including UUTH medical staff, that the incident was an aberration and should not be exploited to undermine the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
It further affirmed the rights of every Nigerian, stressing that it would continue to pursue its mandate without distraction or encroachment on anyone’s fundamental rights.
