By Isaac Aregbesola
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives’ visit to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) in Akwa Ibom on Tuesday, was to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect.
Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Oyewale said that the visit was informed by the need to authenticate a medical report presented by a suspect under remand by Justice M.A. Onyetunu of the Federal High Court, Uyo.
He said that the suspect was remanded for allegedly defrauding multiple micro finance banks, including University of Uyo Micro Finance Bank.
He said that the suspect had presented a medical report which required authentication from the management of the UUTH.
“The efforts of the commission’s operatives was, however, met with strict resistance as the officers were attacked and locked inside by some misguided members of staff the hospital.
He said that in spite of the hostility and provocation, there was no breakdown of law and order.
He explained that the operatives exercised restraint and professionally made their ways out of the hospital premises without disrupting its activities.
According to him, the commission had earlier written two different letters, dated March 11, and April 20, to the hospital management with regards to the authentication and received no response.
”The Investigating officer handling the matter took further step of visiting the hospital to enquire about the status of the request. Still, no response.
”As a last resort, operatives of the commission visited the Chief Medical Director of the hospital on Tuesday to make further enquiries, only to be locked in with a false alarm and subjected to unprovoked attack by misguided staff of the facility who pelted them with stones and other dangerous objects.”
He added that while within the hospital, the CMD reportedly directed that gates of the facility be shut, making it impossible for any lawful enquiry to be made.
”Police authorities in Akwa Ibom advised the CMD to open the hospital gates to enable the operatives exit the premises peacefully but the entreaties were turned down.
”Enquiries bordering on operational engagements of the commission are lawful. It is therefore necessary to remind the public and corporate bodies that they are obligated to cooperate with the agency in such circumstances.
”Contrary action could be deemed as obstruction, which is criminal with attendant legal consequences,” he said (NAN)
