A civic group, Concerned Citizen Rights (CCR), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to initiate an independent investigation into what it describes as systemic corruption and falsification of service records at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State.

Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, the group’s Convener, Mr. Patrick Umoh, alleged that entrenched irregularities within the hospital’s management have created deep tensions between the leadership and labour unions, ultimately hampering effective service delivery.

Mr. Umoh stressed the need for the presidency to mandate a neutral investigative panel outside the Federal Ministry of Health, which he claimed may have compromised its neutrality.

“The situation has deteriorated to the point where whistleblowing staff are being intimidated and harassed.

The Ministry of Health is well aware of the issues but appears to be shielding the hospital’s leadership,” he said.

At the heart of the controversy is the hospital’s Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Theo Onyuku, who is accused by staff unions of manipulating his official records to extend his tenure.

Union representatives alleged that Dr. Onyuku holds three different dates of birth in official documents, a strategy they believe is intended to delay his mandatory retirement, initially expected in June 2025.

“It is mind-boggling that someone employed as a resident doctor in 1997 could allegedly have completed NYSC in 2003,” the unions stated.

According to the group, the most recent flashpoint came during a staff meeting on June 18, 2025, where Dr. Onyuku allegedly referred to staff members as “infidels” for challenging the anomalies.

The group also accused him of “brazen arrogance” and “mismanagement of public funds,” claiming the Ministry of Health has remained silent in the face of these developments.

“This culture of silence in the ministry is disturbing. It’s as though officials are observing ‘table manners’, refusing to speak while eating,” Umoh said metaphorically, accusing ministry officials of complicity.

When contacted, Dr. Onyuku declined to comment in detail, stating only that the matter is under investigation by the ministry. “Anyone in a position of authority will face opposition,” he said.

The call by the CCR adds to growing pressure on federal authorities to address governance concerns in tertiary health institutions across the country.