The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives were stoned at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom while making lawful enquiries on a medical report.
On Tuesday, there was panic at UUTH after EFCC operatives
stormed the facility in two saloon cars and a tinted bus, with some officers
wearing masks and others dressed in EFCC-branded jackets.
Eyo Ekpe, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and deputy
chairman of the hospital’s medical advisory committee, was reportedly arrested
during the operation.
Videos circulating online showed workers, patients and
visitors running for safety within the hospital premises after teargas
canisters were shot.
‘OUR OFFICERS SUBJECTED TO UNPROVOKED ATTACK’
In a statement, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s head of media and
publicity, said operatives went to the hospital to authenticate a medical
report presented by a suspect who has been remanded over allegations of
defrauding multiple microfinance banks, including University of Uyo
Microfinance Bank.
Oyewale said the EFCC wrote two different letters to the
hospital management over the medical report but received no response.
He added that the investigating officer handling the case
had visited the hospital for further enquiry over the matter.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com