- NMA Akwa Ibom planned a ₦1bn lawsuit against the EFCC over alleged assault on a doctor
- The EFCC said its operatives were at UUTH to verify a medical report in an investigation
- The association threatened to withdraw services to EFCC officials until demands were met
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has announced plans to institute a ₦1bn legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged assault of a senior doctor during a raid at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
The association said the suit followed what it described as physical, emotional, professional and institutional damage suffered during an EFCC operation at the hospital on Tuesday.
The incident reportedly occurred when EFCC operatives stormed the hospital in Uyo while investigating a fraud case involving a suspect. The commission stated that the visit was aimed at verifying a medical report submitted in connection with the case.
According to the EFCC, its officers later visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital “as a last resort” to make further inquiries but were met with resistance, after which they withdrew without disrupting hospital operations.
However, the NMA strongly disputed this account, alleging that a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Eyo Ekpe, was assaulted during the operation.
Speaking at a press briefing in Uyo, the state NMA Chairman, Aniekan Peter, said the decision to approach the court was taken at an emergency meeting of the association.
He alleged that masked EFCC operatives forcibly apprehended Professor Ekpe within the hospital premises, beat him until he bled, and handcuffed him alongside other medical staff who attempted to intervene.
Peter further claimed he was shoved and exposed to tear gas when he tried to intervene and seek clarification from the operatives.
The association described the hospital environment as “sacred” and insisted that it should not be subjected to what it called violent or disruptive security operations.
The communique, read by Assistant Secretary Dr Unyime Ndoh and endorsed by the leadership of the association, stated that the NMA would seek ₦1bn in damages for the alleged assault and disruption caused during the raid.
It further demanded a public apology to the affected medical personnel and called for the identification and prosecution of those involved in the operation.
The NMA also alleged that no prior formal invitation or communication was made to Professor Ekpe or hospital authorities before the EFCC operation, describing the raid as “barbaric, degrading, inhuman and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment.”
In addition, the association warned that its members would withdraw medical services to EFCC officials and their relatives until its demands were met.
The EFCC has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations of assault, but maintained that its operatives acted within the scope of their investigation into alleged fraudulent activity linked to a suspect at the hospital.
The dispute has sparked wider concern over the conduct of law enforcement operations in sensitive public institutions such as hospitals, where medical professionals argue that patient care and clinical environments must be protected from disruption.
Legal and medical observers say the case could set an important precedent on the limits of investigative powers within healthcare facilities and the rights of medical personnel during security operations.