Uyo, Nigeria – The Nigerian Medical Association chapter in Akwa Ibom State announced on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, that it will file a N1bn ($666,666) lawsuit against Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the alleged assault of a surgeon during a hospital raid on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Okay News reports that the association’s state chairman, Professor Aniekan Peter, confirmed the legal action during an emergency press conference in the state capital.
Operatives from the anti-graft agency entered the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital to verify a medical document related to an ongoing fraud investigation. The agency stated its personnel sought a meeting with the hospital’s Chief Medical Director “as a last resort to make further enquiries,” claiming they withdrew after encountering resistance without disrupting medical activities.
Medical representatives dispute the agency’s account, stating that cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Eyo Ekpe was attacked during the operation. “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, handcuffed him alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene,” Peter said.
A communique endorsed by Peter and the association’s secretary, Dr Ighorodje Edesiri, and read by assistant secretary Dr Unyime Ndoh, outlined the financial demand. “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 medical group said.
The doctors declared a strike until the agency issues an apology and prosecutes the operatives involved. As of 8:20 AM WAT on Thursday, May 14, 2026, medical personnel at the facility are refusing to provide medical services to officials of the anti-graft commission or their relatives.
