Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has ordered a formal and unconditional apology to Professor Eyo Ekpe, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), and to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over the violent raid by his operatives at the hospital on 12 May 2026. The directive, contained in a statement issued on Monday, 18 May 2026, came after a preliminary review of the incident that has sparked nationwide outrage. Olukoyede expressed deep regret over the “discomfort” caused by the unfortunate episode and stressed that the conduct of the officers fell short of the standards expected of the commission.
The Chairman also ordered a full investigation into the incident, assuring the public that any officer found to have acted outside the established professional code of conduct would be subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings. “Once the exercise is completed, any officer found to have acted outside of the acceptable code of professional conduct would be subjected to the internal disciplinary process,” the statement read. While acknowledging the sensitive nature of the commission’s anti-corruption mandate, Olukoyede vowed that the agency would not be distracted but would work closely with stakeholders to prevent such a traumatic recurrence. The apology is to be delivered to Professor Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH, as well as to the leadership of the NMA.
The u-turn by the EFCC followed sustained pressure from the medical community and civil society. The NMA had threatened a staggering N1 billion lawsuit against the commission for the physical, emotional and professional trauma inflicted on its members. Professor Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and the only cardiothoracic surgeon in the state, was reportedly handcuffed, severely beaten and dragged out of the hospital in full view of patients and colleagues. Witnesses alleged that teargas was fired inside the hospital premises, creating panic among vulnerable patients and endangering lives. The Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of Nigeria (ACTSON) described the removal of a senior surgeon in full public glare as a “serious affront to the dignity of medical professionals”.
The joint industrial action by health workers in Akwa Ibom State was suspended following the intervention of Governor Umo Eno. At a crucial stakeholders’ meeting chaired by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, the EFCC apologised to all affected parties for the unruly conduct of its operatives. The parties resolved that government should actively identify those behind the alleged fake medical report that precipitated the raid. A liaison committee was constituted to prevent a recurrence of such violations. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, had earlier made a passionate appeal to the unions to return to their duty posts, warning that the shutdown was causing critical harm to patients. Despite the apology, the NMA has maintained that the EFCC must still issue an unreserved public apology and compensate the victims.
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