The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged assault of doctors and staff members at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Akwa Ibom State.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency reportedly stormed the hospital on Tuesday and arrested Prof. Eyo Ekpe alongside several other staff members.
Videos circulating online showed workers, patients, and visitors scrambling for safety within the hospital premises after teargas canisters were allegedly discharged during the operation.
However, the EFCC defended its actions. The agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated that operatives visited the hospital solely to verify a medical report presented by a suspect remanded over allegations of defrauding several microfinance banks, including the University of Uyo Microfinance Bank.
In a communiqué issued following an emergency virtual congress held on Tuesday, the NMA disclosed that it had resolved “to institute legal action against the EFCC with a demand for damages in the sum of One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) for the physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damage caused”.
The association alleged that masked EFCC operatives invaded the teaching hospital and assaulted Ekpe before taking him into custody.
According to the NMA, the professor “was physically assaulted, beaten severely to the point of bleeding, handcuffed, and forcefully taken into custody alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene”.
The association further alleged that gunshots were fired within the hospital premises and that mobile phones belonging to individuals recording the incident were confiscated.
Describing the operation as “barbaric, degrading, inhumane, and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment”, the NMA said the incident endangered both healthcare workers and patients within the facility.
The association also alleged that its state chairman was shoved and exposed to teargas while attempting to seek clarification from the operatives.
Beyond the planned lawsuit, the NMA demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ekpe and all detained doctors and hospital workers.
It also called for “an unreserved public apology from the EFCC” to Ekpe, the association’s chairman, and the medical community in Akwa Ibom State.
“Hospitals are sacred environments meant for the preservation of life and should never be subjected to violent invasions by security agencies,” the communiqué stated.
“Congress further emphasised that this action shall serve as a deterrent against future harassment, intimidation, or assault of medical practitioners by any security agency.”
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