EFCC apologises to UUTH doctor, NMA over hospital incident

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has formally apologized to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and a medical doctor at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) following a highly controversial raid by anti-graft operatives.

The apology comes after intense backlash from the medical community, including an indefinite strike that paralyzed public hospitals in Akwa Ibom State and threats of a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the commission.

What Sparked the Crisis?
The incident occurred on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, when EFCC operatives stormed the UUTH premises in Uyo to investigate a suspected fraudulent medical report.

According to the NMA, the operation escalated into harassment and physical assault:

The Raid & Assault: EFCC operatives allegedly assaulted hospital staff, including a senior professor, and detained a medical doctor.

Targeting the NMA Chair: When the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the NMA approached the operatives to seek clarification, he was reportedly shoved and exposed to tear gas.

The EFCC's Initial Stance: The EFCC had been tracing a medical report used by a suspect under investigation. It was later revealed that the document in question had been issued on a fake letterhead and was completely unrelated to any legitimate doctor at the hospital.

The Medical Community's Backlash
The heavy-handed nature of the raid triggered immediate outrage across the health sector:

Indefinite Strike: The Akwa Ibom State branch of the NMA withdrew their services and shut down public hospitals in protest of the "harassment, intimidation, and assault."

₦1 Billion Lawsuit: The association demanded an immediate public apology, the unconditional release of all detained workers, and threatened a ₦1 billion legal battle to serve as a deterrent to security agencies.

The EFCC's Official Apology
Seeking to de-escalate the tension and repair relations with professional bodies, EFCC Boss Ola Olukoyede stepped in to issue an official apology:

Regret Over the Incident: The Chairman expressed deep regret over the conduct of the operatives involved in the May 12 incident and apologized directly to the affected UUTH doctor and the NMA leadership.

A Call for Partnership: Olukoyede appealed to the NMA and other professional associations to not let the incident break their synergy, urging them to continue supporting the EFCC's broader mandate to fight economic and financial crimes.

What’s Next: With the EFCC chief’s intervention and formal apology, stakeholders expect the NMA to review its industrial action and restore full medical services across public health facilities in the state.