The Nigerian Medical Association in Akwa Ibom State has threatened to file a N1bn lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged assault of medical personnel during a raid at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
The association said the planned legal action followed what it described as physical, emotional, professional and institutional damages suffered during the operation carried out by EFCC operatives on Tuesday.
The anti-graft agency had reportedly visited the hospital while investigating a fraud-related case involving a suspect receiving treatment at the facility.
The EFCC, however, maintained that its operatives only visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by the suspect and later approached the Chief Medical Director for further clarification after initial efforts proved unsuccessful.
According to the commission, the operatives eventually withdrew from the premises without disrupting hospital activities.
But addressing journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, the Akwa Ibom NMA Chairman, Professor Aniekan Peter, accused EFCC operatives of assaulting one of its members, Professor Eyo Ekpe, during the operation.
Peter said the decision to institute legal action was part of resolutions reached at an emergency meeting of the association.
“We observed that Prof Eyo Ekpe was apprehended within the premises of UUTH by masked EFCC operatives who physically assaulted him, beat him to the point of bleeding, and handcuffed him alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene,” he alleged.
The association also claimed that the NMA chairman was affected during the incident.
“Professor Peter, the Akwa Ibom NMA chairman, was shoved and exposed to teargas when he approached the scene seeking clarification from the operatives,” the association stated.
The doctors described the hospital as a sacred environment that should not be subjected to violent security operations.
The communiqué, read by the Assistant Secretary of the association, Dr Unyime Ndoh, and endorsed by Professor Peter and the state Secretary, Dr Ighorodje Edesiri, said the association would not resume work until its demands were met.
Among the demands are a public apology to the affected doctors and the identification and prosecution of officers allegedly involved in the operation.
“We shall institute a legal action against the EFCC with a demand for damages in the sum of N1bn for the physical, emotional, professional and institutional damages caused,” the association said.
The NMA further alleged that there was no formal invitation issued to Professor Ekpe or the association’s leadership before the raid, describing the operation as “barbaric, degrading, inhuman and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment.”
The association also announced that its members would suspend medical services to EFCC operatives and their relatives pending the resolution of the dispute.
