The Nigerian Medical Association has announced plans to file a N1bn lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged assault of one of its members, Professor Eyo Ekpe, during an operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).
The association said on Wednesday that the proposed legal action followed what it described as physical, emotional, professional and institutional harm caused during the EFCC raid at the hospital on Tuesday.
It was gathered that EFCC operatives visited the hospital while investigating a fraud case involving a suspect. According to the commission, the visit was aimed at verifying a medical report presented by the suspect.
The EFCC explained that its operatives later approached the Chief Medical Director of the hospital “as a last resort to make further enquiries,” but said they encountered resistance and eventually withdrew without disrupting hospital activities.
However, the NMA alleged that the operation resulted in the assault of Professor Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the hospital.
Speaking at a press conference in Uyo, the state NMA Chairman, Aniekan Peter, said the decision to head to court was reached during an emergency meeting of the association.
He said, “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.”
He further alleged that he was also affected during the incident, stating, “Professor Peter, Akwa Ibom NMA chairman, was shoved and exposed to teargas when he approached the scene seeking clarification from the operatives.”
The association described the hospital environment as “sacred” and maintained that security agencies should not carry out violent operations within such facilities.
It added, “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.”
A communique read by the association’s Assistant Secretary, Dr Unyime Ndoh, and endorsed by Professor Peter and Secretary Dr Ighorodje Edesiri, stated that members would not return to work until their demands were met.
Among the demands are an apology to the affected doctors and the identification and prosecution of officers involved in the operation.
The NMA also maintained that there was no formal invitation to Professor Ekpe or the association’s leadership before the incident, describing the raid as “barbaric, degrading, inhuman and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment.”
The association further declared that it would suspend medical services to EFCC officials and their relatives until its demands are addressed.
