EFCC clarifies hospital visit, says move to verify fraud suspect medical report

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have clarified that their visit to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, was strictly to authenticate a medical report submitted by a suspect standing trial over alleged multi-bank fraud.

In a statement, by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman, the Commission said the suspect, who is currently being remanded by M.A. Onyetenu, Justice of the Federal High Court in Uyo, is facing charges bordering on alleged fraud involving several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.

According to the EFCC, the suspect had presented a medical report purportedly issued to justify his condition while in custody.

However, the authenticity of the document reportedly raised concerns, prompting the Commission to seek official verification from the issuing hospital.

The agency disclosed that it had earlier written two formal letters to the hospital management dated March 11, 2026, and April 20, 2026, requesting confirmation of the medical report.

It said no response was received to either correspondence.

Following the alleged silence from the hospital, the investigating officer handling the case reportedly visited the facility in person to follow up on the request, but again did not receive any official feedback.

The EFCC stated that the situation necessitated a further visit by its operatives to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital on Tuesday in a final attempt to obtain clarification.

However, the Commission alleged that the visit was met with hostility, claiming that the operatives were locked in the premises after a false alarm was raised and were subsequently attacked with stones and other objects by some staff members described as “misguided.”

The statement further alleged that the CMD ordered the closure of the hospital gates while the operatives were still inside, making exit difficult.

It added that police authorities in Akwa Ibom State intervened and advised that the gates be opened to allow the EFCC team to leave peacefully, but the directive was reportedly not obeyed at the time.

Despite the tension, the EFCC maintained that its officers exercised restraint throughout the encounter and ensured that there was no breakdown of law and order.

The operatives eventually exited the premises without disrupting hospital activities, according to the Commission.

The EFCC stressed that requests for information relating to ongoing investigations are lawful and that individuals and institutions are obligated to cooperate with the agency when approached.

It warned that failure to comply with lawful investigative inquiries, or any action perceived as obstruction, could constitute a criminal offence with legal consequences.