The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State branch, has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged assault of doctors and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
Incident Details
On Tuesday, operatives of the EFCC stormed the hospital and arrested Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon, along with other staff members. In a communique issued after an emergency general meeting held virtually, the association resolved to institute legal action against the EFCC, demanding N1 billion in damages for physical, emotional, professional, and institutional harm caused.
The NMA alleged that masked EFCC operatives invaded the hospital premises, assaulted Professor Ekpe, and took him into custody. The professor was reportedly beaten severely to the point of bleeding, handcuffed, and forcefully taken away alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene. Gunshots were allegedly fired within the hospital environment, and phones belonging to individuals recording the incident were confiscated.
Association's Response
Describing the incident as barbaric, degrading, inhumane, and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment, the NMA also claimed that the state chairman of the association was shoved and exposed to tear gas when he approached the scene seeking clarification. Beyond the planned lawsuit, the association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Ekpe and all detained doctors and hospital workers, as well as an unreserved public apology from the EFCC.
Appeal from Hospital Management
However, the Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Professor Ememabasi Bassey, appealed to medical unions to return to their duty posts and continue providing medical care. Following the altercation, the NMA, Joint Health Sector Unions, and other medical unions withdrew their services, alleging unwarranted arrest and assault.
Public Reaction
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned the EFCC's actions, warning that the use of teargas inside a medical facility reflects a dangerous culture of recklessness. He stated that while anti-graft agencies have constitutional powers to investigate and arrest, no agency has the right to conduct operations that threaten human lives or desecrate critical national institutions like hospitals.
