The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has vowed disciplinary action against officers found to have violated professional standards following an incident involving operatives of the commission and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The incident occurred May 12 during an operation at the hospital, where EFCC operatives were accused of assaulting the deputy chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, and four other staff members.
In a statement posted Monday on the commission’s X handle, Olukoyede said an internal review had been ordered and an official apology issued over the incident.
He said the conduct of the operatives did not reflect the standards of the commission.
“While acknowledging that the well-being of Nigerians is at the core of the commission’s mandate, he expressed regret at the discomfort the unfortunate episode caused staff of the hospital and members of the public,” the statement said.
Olukoyede said officers found to have acted outside approved professional guidelines would face internal disciplinary measures once investigations are concluded.
He also said the EFCC would work with relevant stakeholders to prevent a recurrence while continuing its anti-corruption mandate.
The commission had earlier been accused of harassment during an attempt to arrest Ekpe over an alleged fake medical report.
Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon, said EFCC operatives assaulted him and other hospital workers during the operation.
The chief medical director of the hospital, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, confirmed that Ekpe and four staff members were arrested without prior notice to hospital management.
Bassey said the medical report at the center of the case was allegedly forged and suggested internal collaboration may have been involved.
He also criticized the conduct of the operatives, saying they did not present themselves to hospital leadership before proceeding to Ekpe’s office.
Professional groups, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Association of Resident Doctors at UUTH, condemned the incident and launched industrial action.
They demanded sanctions against the operatives, compensation for injured staff, public apologies in national newspapers and repairs for damaged property.
The EFCC chairman’s directive for an investigation follows earlier statements by the commission defending the professionalism of its operatives.
