Allege fraud: EFCC operatives visited UUTH on a fact-finding mission

By Vivian Okejeme

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Tuesday, explained it’s Uyo Zonal Directorate operatives mission to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, UUTH, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The anti graft agency said the missioned was informed by the need to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand by Justice M.A Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.

A statement signed, Tuesday, by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, said the suspect had presented a medical report which required authentication by the UUTH management.

It explained that the commission wrote two different letters, dated March 11, 2026 and April 20, 2026, to the hospital management to this effect without receiving any response.

Consequently, the Investigating Officer handling the matter took the further step of visiting the hospital to enquire about the status of the request. Still, no response.

As a last resort, operatives of the Commission visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries, only to be locked in with a false alarm and subjected to unprovoked attack by misguided staff of the facility who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.

Explaining further, it stated that while within the hospital, the CMD reportedly directed that gates of the facility be shut, making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made.

“Police authorities in Akwa Ibom State advised the CMD to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully but the entreaties were turned down.

“In spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order as the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their ways out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities.

“Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the Commission are lawful. It is therefore necessary to remind the public and corporate bodies that they are obligated to cooperate with the agency in such circumstances. Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences.”