Akwa Ibom medical practitioners vow to sue EFCC for N1 billion in damages following hospital search operation

The Nigerian Medical Association's Akwa Ibom State chapter is taking a strong stance against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, with plans to file a N1bn lawsuit in response to the alleged assault of Professor Eyo Ekpe during a raid at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

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This decision was made after the association claimed that its member suffered physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damages during the EFCC operation at the hospital on Tuesday, which was part of an investigation into a fraud case involving a suspect.

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According to the EFCC, its operatives had visited the hospital to verify a medical report submitted by the suspect, and later met with the Chief Medical Director as a last resort to make further enquiries, but were met with resistance and eventually withdrew without disrupting hospital activities.

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However, the NMA has disputed this account, stating that the operation resulted in the alleged assault of Professor Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital, and that the state NMA Chairman, Professor Aniekan Peter, was also affected during the incident.

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Professor Peter addressed a press conference in Uyo, where he described the alleged assault of Professor Ekpe by masked EFCC operatives, who he claimed physically assaulted him, beat him to the point of bleeding, and handcuffed him alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene.

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The NMA Chairman also alleged that he was shoved and exposed to teargas when he approached the scene seeking clarification from the operatives, and emphasized that the hospital environment is "sacred" and should not be subjected to violent operations by security agencies.

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The association has announced that it will institute a legal action against the EFCC, demanding damages in the sum of N1bn for the physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damages caused, as stated in a communique read by Assistant Secretary Dr Unyime Ndoh.

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The communique, which was endorsed by Professor Peter and Secretary Dr Ighorodje Edesiri, outlined the association's demands, including an apology to the affected doctors and the identification and prosecution of those involved in the operation.

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The NMA has also stated that it will not return to work unless its demands are met, and has announced that it will not provide medical services to EFCC officials or their relatives until its demands are addressed, describing the raid as "barbaric, degrading, inhuman and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment".