The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State branch, has threatened legal action against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged assault of doctors and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH).

Recall that on Tuesday, operatives of the EFCC stormed the facility and arrested Eyo Ekpe, a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and some other staff.

In a communiqué after an emergency general meeting held virtually, the association said it resolved “to institute legal action against the EFCC with a demand for damages in the sum of N1 billion for the physical, emotional, professional, and institutional damage caused.”

The association alleged that masked EFCC operatives invaded the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital premises on Tuesday and assaulted Ekpe before taking him into custody.

It claimed that the professor “was physically assaulted, beaten severely to the point of bleeding, handcuffed, and forcefully taken into custody alongside other doctors and hospital staff who attempted to intervene”.

The NMA further alleged that “gunshots were reportedly fired within the hospital environment, while phones belonging to individuals recording the incident were allegedly confiscated.”

The association described the incident as “barbaric, degrading, inhumane, and a gross violation of the sanctity of the hospital environment”. It also alleged that the state chairman of the association was shoved and exposed to tear gas when he approached the scene seeking clarification from the operatives.

Beyond the planned lawsuit, the association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ekpe and all detained doctors and hospital workers.

It also called for “an unreserved public apology from the EFCC” to Ekpe, the NMA chairman, and the medical community in Akwa Ibom State.

However, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UUTH, Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, has made a passionate appeal to various medical unions in the state to return to their duty posts and provide medical care and other services to the people.

Recall that following an altercation between the hospital’s medical staff and the EFCC, the NMA, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and other medical unions withdrew their services, alleging unwarranted arrest and assault of a foremost Cardiologist, Prof. Ekpe.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has launched a scathing attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged invasion of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, warning that the reported use of teargas inside a medical facility reflects a dangerous culture of recklessness within public institutions.

Obi, reacting through his official X handle yesterday, described the incident as “a thoughtless act” capable of putting the lives of vulnerable patients, doctors, nurses, and caregivers at grave risk.

Meanwhile, the former Anambra State governor said that while anti-graft agencies have constitutional powers to investigate and arrest suspects, no agency has the right to conduct operations in a manner that threatens human lives or desecrates critical national institutions, such as hospitals.

According to reports referenced by Obi, operatives of the EFCC allegedly stormed the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in an attempt to arrest Prof. Eyo Ekpe, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and deputy chairman of the hospital’s medical advisory committee. During the operation, teargas canisters were allegedly discharged within the hospital environment, causing panic as patients and health workers reportedly fled for safety.

Obi said the incident paints a disturbing picture of institutional disorder and raises serious questions about professionalism, operational discipline, and respect for human dignity within some security agencies.