UUTH Raid: EFCC to Discipline Officers as Olukoyede Orders Apology, Full Investigation - Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

UUTH Raid: EFCC to Discipline Officers as Olukoyede Orders Apology, Full Investigation

Published

3 months ago

on

UUTH Raid: EFCC to Discipline Officers as Olukoyede Orders Apology, Full Investigation

UUTH Raid: EFCC to Discipline Officers as Olukoyede Orders Apology, Full Investigation

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has promised that any officer found to have acted outside established professional standards will face disciplinary action following an incident involving operatives of the commission and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State. The incident occurred on May 12, 2026, following a visit to the teaching hospital by armed commission agents who allegedly assaulted the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Professor Eyo Ekpe, and four other staff members. The operation sparked widespread outrage among medical professionals nationwide, with the Nigerian Medical Association condemning what it described as a “gross abuse of power” and threatening legal action. Following a preliminary review of the incident, Olukoyede directed that an official apology be issued to Professor Ekpe and members of the Nigerian Medical Association. In a statement released on Monday via the EFCC’s official X handle, he stated that the decision was made to address concerns raised by the medical community and members of the public affected by the incident. He expressed regret over the development, stressing that the operatives’ conduct did not meet the commission’s expected standards. “While acknowledging that the well-being of Nigerians is at the core of the Commission’s mandate, he expressed regret at the discomfort the unfortunate episode caused staff of the hospital and members of the public,” the statement read.

Olukoyede also confirmed that a thorough inquiry into the incident had been ordered and that any officer found guilty would face internal disciplinary action. “Once the exercise is completed, any officer found to have acted outside the acceptable code of professional conduct would be subjected to the internal disciplinary process,” he said. The EFCC chairman further assured stakeholders that the agency would work closely with relevant bodies to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. Despite the uproar, Olukoyede insisted that the agency would continue to carry out its mandate of combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria without distraction. He also urged the Nigerian Medical Association and other professional organizations to continue supporting the commission’s anti-corruption operations, emphasizing the importance of partnership in improving accountability and combatting corruption in Nigeria.

READ ALSO:

The EFCC chairman’s directive for a probe and apology appears to contradict an earlier statement by the commission, which maintained that the operatives involved acted professionally and did not disrupt hospital activities. In a statement issued on Friday, May 15, 2026, the EFCC had insisted that the visit was “purely administrative” and not a raid. The commission said operatives from its Uyo zonal directorate visited the hospital solely to authenticate a document and not to carry out an arrest operation. “The presence of the Commission’s Operatives in the facility on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 was purely administrative, to facilitate the authentication of a document, rather than a tactical operation to effect arrest,” the EFCC stated. The commission also denied allegations that its operatives arrested or brutalised hospital staff, stating that “no arrests were made and the staff of the hospital that followed our operatives to the Zonal Command were not detained.” However, the EFCC acknowledged being “outraged by the allegations of brutalisation” and noted that even though no physical evidence of bodily harm had been presented, it had ordered an investigation as a responsible organisation. “While awaiting the outcome of this inquiry, any staff of the Commission found to have deviated from the Standard Operating Procedure of the Agency, will not be spared,” the commission had stated.

Professor Eyo Ekpe, a cardiothoracic surgery professor at the teaching hospital, had previously accused EFCC agents of harassing and abusing him and other hospital employees during an attempted arrest over an alleged fraudulent medical report. During a press conference held last Wednesday, Ekpe described the circumstances leading up to the confrontation between EFCC officers and hospital staff, painting a picture of armed operatives storming his office without prior notification to hospital management. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State chapter, went further, threatening a N1 billion lawsuit against the EFCC over the alleged assault. Addressing a press conference in Uyo, the state NMA Chairman, Professor Aniekan Peter, detailed the extent of the alleged assault with graphic specificity. “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 said. He also alleged that he himself was 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 NMA demanded an apology to the affected doctors, identification and prosecution of those involved in the operation, and compensation for damages. The association also declared that it would not provide medical services to EFCC officials or their relatives until its demands were addressed, a threat that would have crippled healthcare delivery for anti-graft agency personnel in the state. The Benue State branch of the NMA also condemned the incident, describing it as “disturbing, unacceptable, and a gross abuse of power.” The association maintained that no government agency, irrespective of its mandate, has the right to intimidate or humiliate healthcare workers or invade medical institutions in a manner that endangers staff and patients.

READ ALSO:

The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Ememabasi Bassey, stated that Ekpe and four other employees were effectively arrested without prior notification to hospital administration. Bassey argued that the medical report in question was forged and suggested that officials at the institution may have worked with outsiders to create it. “One of the things we must get to the bottom of is how the lawyer handling the case got the fake medical report. There may be bad eggs within the hospital working with outsiders,” he said. Bassey berated the conduct of the operatives, saying they went directly to Ekpe’s office without notifying management or presenting an arrest warrant. “At no point did they come to look for the CMD, the CMAC, or the director of administration. They went to his office,” he said. The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria and the Association of Resident Doctors, UUTH chapters, both criticized the incident and declared industrial action in response to the alleged attack and arrest. The groups demanded disciplinary action against the participating operatives, compensation and treatment for wounded workers, public apologies in two national publications, and repairs for property damage.

Following the direct intervention by the Akwa Ibom State Government, the industrial action embarked upon by workers of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital was suspended. The suspension became possible following a joint stakeholders’ meeting convened by the state government at the Old EXCO Chambers, Governor’s Office, Uyo. The meeting, which followed the directive of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, was chaired by the Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, and brought together representatives of the state government, the EFCC, security agencies, management of UUTH, the Nigerian Medical Association, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and other health sector unions. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders described the incident as “unfortunate and entirely avoidable” while condemning the altercation in its entirety. The EFCC, through its representatives at the meeting, expressed regret over the incident and apologised to all affected parties, including the Chief Medical Director of UUTH, Professor Eyo Ekpe; JOHESU Chairman, Mr Akanubong Asuquo; NMA Chairman, Professor Aniekan Peter; and the NANNM, over what was described as the unruly conduct of its operatives during the operation at the hospital.

The anti-graft agency further assured stakeholders that a formal apology would be issued by its headquarters and pledged that such an occurrence would not happen again. As part of the resolutions reached, the EFCC and the management of UUTH are to establish effective communication channels to ensure the lawful and professional handling of any ongoing or future investigations involving the institution. The stakeholders also resolved that the government should actively participate in identifying individuals behind the alleged fake medical report connected to the matter and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice. The Akwa Ibom State Government commended the Chairman of the EFCC for ordering an investigation into the incident, as well as the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for constituting a panel of inquiry. Meanwhile, the health sector unions expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his timely intervention in resolving the crisis and for his continued support to the healthcare sector. In what was widely regarded as a major outcome of the meeting, all health sector unions agreed, in the overriding interest of public health and industrial harmony, to suspend the strike action after consultation with their congresses. The meeting also resolved that all parties should refrain from further media exchanges capable of escalating tensions or prejudicing ongoing engagements. A liaison committee comprising representatives of the state government, UUTH management, the EFCC, and health sector unions is to be constituted to monitor the implementation of the resolutions reached and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

UUTH Raid: EFCC to Discipline Officers as Olukoyede Orders Apology, Full Investigation

Loading

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

Zamfara: Troops rescue seven women, children from terrorists

Published

5 hours ago

on

August 18, 2026

By

Zamfara: Troops rescue seven women, children from terrorists

Zamfara: Troops rescue seven women, children from terrorists

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled separate terrorist abduction attempts in Zamfara State, rescuing civilians and neutralising an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along a major road.

The operations, conducted on August 17, 2026, occurred at different locations in the state as security forces intensified efforts to protect civilians, secure major roads and disrupt the activities of terrorist groups in Zamfara.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on August 17.

Danja said troops of Sector 2 responded to an abduction incident along the Gurusu–Anka Road after receiving information about the attack.

According to him, the troops pursued the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding area.

The military officer said the operation resulted in the rescue of seven victims comprising four women and three children.

He added that all seven victims were rescued unharmed.

The rescue came amid continuing security concerns along major roads in Zamfara, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted motorists and passengers.

READ ALSO:

In a separate operation around Magazu Village in Tsafe Local Government Area, troops responded to information that terrorists were attempting to abduct motorists.

The troops moved swiftly to the area and engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon their victims and escape into nearby bushes.

Danja said some of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and were immediately evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.

The Magazu axis has previously witnessed similar incidents, making the area a major security concern for residents and road users.

Earlier reports indicated that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA had rescued 33 passengers abducted by terrorists around the Magazu area after engaging the attackers and forcing them to abandon their victims.

Meanwhile, troops also responded to the discovery of a terrorist-planted IED along the Gurusu–Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

The military said the area was immediately secured while an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was deployed to handle the explosive device.

The team successfully neutralised the IED, preventing potential casualties among soldiers, motorists and other road users.

The discovery highlights the continuing security threat posed by explosive devices along some roads in Zamfara State, particularly routes used by civilians and security personnel.

The latest operations formed part of ongoing efforts by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to maintain security across its Joint Operations Area and prevent terrorists from freely operating in vulnerable communities and along major transportation routes.

Danja said the successful interventions demonstrated the vigilance and responsiveness of troops in protecting civilians, securing communities and keeping major routes safe from terrorist activities.

He said the Theatre Command would continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements across the Joint Operations Area and deny them the freedom to threaten innocent citizens.

The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities.

The latest operations underscore the importance of intelligence-led military action in tackling kidnapping and terrorism in Zamfara, particularly along routes that have repeatedly come under attack.

Zamfara: Troops rescue seven women, children from terrorists

Loading

Continue Reading

metro

Palliative Care, Not Abandonment: Doctor Clears the Air on Ogogo’s Stage-Four Cancer Treatment

Published

7 hours ago

on

August 18, 2026

By

Palliative Care, Not Abandonment: Doctor Clears the Air on Ogogo's Stage-Four Cancer Treatment

Palliative Care, Not Abandonment: Doctor Clears the Air on Ogogo’s Stage-Four Cancer Treatment

The daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, recently made emotional public appeals claiming that hospitals had refused to continue treating their father, who is battling stage-four cancer. The family’s plea, shared via Instagram videos, sparked widespread concern and sympathy across Nigeria. However, a medical doctor has stepped forward to offer a professional clarification, explaining that what the family may be experiencing is not a refusal of care but a standard medical transition to palliative care. Dr. Olusina Ajidahun, a medical practitioner known as The Bearded Dr Sina on X, responded to the daughters’ videos by urging the public to understand the difference between curative treatment and end-of-life symptom management. He emphasized that stage-four cancer, by definition, has spread beyond its original site and is often no longer responsive to curative interventions such as chemotherapy. At this point, medical teams typically shift focus to palliative care, which prioritizes the patient’s comfort, pain relief, and quality of life rather than attempting to eliminate the disease. Dr. Ajidahun warned that the daughters’ choice of words—particularly the phrase “they don’t want to treat my father again”—could be dangerously misleading. He noted that such language may create a negative perception of healthcare workers and potentially trigger hostility against medical professionals, especially given the recent tensions in Nigeria’s health sector. He clarified that he is not part of Ogogo’s medical team and was offering his expert opinion independently, based solely on the videos he had seen online.

READ ALSO:

When Lima Taiwo, one of Ogogo’s daughters, posted her tearful video on Instagram, she disclosed that the family only became aware of the full extent of her father’s illness about three weeks ago, as his outward appearance had not initially reflected how serious his condition truly was. She pleaded with anyone who could connect them to a healthcare provider willing to take on her father’s case, emphasizing repeatedly that the family was not seeking money but medical intervention. She also acknowledged the support of a relative who had stepped in to help during the crisis. Her sister, Kira Taiwo, made a separate video appeal, confirming that their father’s cancer was at stage four and that the hospital had informed them that chemotherapy could no longer be administered. She became emotional as she described never having seen her father in so much pain and revealed that he had expressed fear of dying. Kira also mentioned that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) had been helping with medical bills, but the family remained desperate for any form of treatment that could give their father another chance. Both daughters stressed that their plea was for medical assistance, not financial donations, and they appealed to anyone with connections to healthcare providers who could take on the actor’s case.

Dr. Ajidahun further explained that when patients reach stage-four cancer, chemotherapy and other available therapies are often exhausted. At that juncture, the medical protocol shifts to palliative care, which is a recognized and compassionate form of end-of-life care for terminal diseases. He stressed that this does not mean the patient is being abandoned; rather, it means the medical team is now focused on managing associated symptoms such as pain, breathing difficulties, and nausea, while ensuring the patient maintains the best possible quality of life in their remaining time. He described the daughters’ statement as a “dangerous statement” that could inadvertently set the public against the very people trying to help their father. He also expressed sympathy for the Ogogo family, acknowledging the emotional toll of watching a loved one battle advanced cancer, and encouraged them to work closely with the medical team to achieve the best possible outcomes within the limits of the disease.

READ ALSO:

In addition to clarifying the medical process, Dr. Ajidahun issued a strong warning against the use of herbal remedies for stage-four cancer. This came after one of Ogogo’s daughters mentioned being open to herbs as a possible treatment option. He categorically stated that no herbs can treat stage-four cancer, and cautioned that unverified concoctions could cause further damage to vital organs and lead to additional complications. He advised the public to trust their doctors and to collaborate with medical professionals rather than seeking unproven alternatives that could hasten deterioration. He urged the family and the wider public to understand that stage-four cancer means the disease has left the primary organ and spread to other sites in the body, making curative treatment unrealistic. He reiterated that doctors always want what is best for their patients and that working hand-in-hand with the medical team offers the best path forward, even in terminal cases.

Taiwo Hassan, who is 66 years old, is a veteran of the Nigerian film industry with a career spanning over four decades. He has featured in more than 300 films and remains one of the most recognizable faces in Yoruba cinema, with notable roles in productions like Aníkúlápó. Over the years, he has received several accolades, including a City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Award and a nomination for an Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor. As of this report, neither Ogogo nor his family has issued a detailed official statement regarding the specific hospital, diagnosis, or type of cancer involved, and the actor’s management has not publicly commented on the controversy. However, the public discourse continues to highlight the urgent need for better awareness around cancer care, palliative treatment, and the emotional realities faced by families navigating terminal illnesses in Nigeria.

Palliative Care, Not Abandonment: Doctor Clears the Air on Ogogo’s Stage-Four Cancer Treatment

Loading

Continue Reading

metro

Lagos Pensioners Give Sanwo-Olu 19-Day Ultimatum: Implement Wage Award or Face ‘Mother of All Protests’

Published

7 hours ago

on

August 18, 2026

By

pensioners

Lagos Pensioners Give Sanwo-Olu 19-Day Ultimatum: Implement Wage Award or Face ‘Mother of All Protests’

Over 50,000 Contributory Pension Scheme retirees accuse government of foot-dragging, plan warning protest on August 24 and mass demonstration on August 31 if demands are not met by August 19.

Thousands of pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos State have issued a 19-day ultimatum to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, demanding the immediate implementation of approved pension increases and wage awards for retirees. The pensioners have warned that failure to meet their demands will result in a “mother of all protests” on August 31, 2026, involving over 50,000 retirees across the state. The ultimatum, contained in a July 31, 2026, letter signed by the council chairman, Michael Omisande, and addressed to Governor Sanwo-Olu, has thrown the spotlight on the growing frustration among Lagos State pensioners who say they have been left in limbo while their colleagues under the Defined Benefits Scheme have already started receiving enhanced payments. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for adequate protection.

The retirees, under the aegis of the National Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, Lagos State Council, said they had become frustrated by what they described as prolonged delays by the Lagos State Pension Commission in processing the adjustment. They said the proposed increase followed a template transmitted to the Lagos State Government in January 2026 by the national leadership of the NUP, CPS, for the implementation of the pension increase/wage award approved for federal retirees. According to the pensioners, the matter had been discussed at a meeting convened by Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Government House, Alausa, on May 22, 2025, attended by representatives of the pensioners, LASPEC, and members of the state cabinet. Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat subsequently intervened, while the Director-General of LASPEC, Babalola Obilana, confirmed receipt of the template and said an actuary had been engaged in February to determine the financial implications. However, the pensioners said they were yet to see the adjustment implemented, accusing LASPEC of “foot-dragging.” They further said that during a visit to LASPEC in May, the commission’s Director-General informed them that the actuary had submitted its report but that further clarification was required before it could be forwarded to the governor for consideration and approval. The pensioners lamented that the delay was taking a toll on them, saying, “We are dying daily due to paucity of funds to take care of ourselves after serving the state meritoriously for 35 years.”

READ ALSO:

Consequently, the union directed the state government to ensure that the relevant pension accounts were credited through the Pension Fund Administrators by August 19, 2026. The letter stated: “In view of the foregoing, sir, we are compelled to issue an ultimatum, effective 1st August, 2026, to the State Government to credit our accounts at the various Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, by 19th of August, 2026.” The pensioners warned that failure to meet the deadline would result in a mass demonstration. “If our demands are not met, sir, at the expiration of the ultimatum, over 50,000 CPS pensioners will have no choice but to stage a ‘Mother of Protest’ on Monday, 31st August, 2026,” they warned.

In a follow-up to the ultimatum, the union held an emergency EXCO and Zonal Coordinators meeting on Monday, June 17, 2026, at the Lagos Pensioners House, Oshodi, where they resolved to hold a warning protest on Monday, August 24, 2026, at strategic locations across all zones in Lagos State. According to the resolutions signed by Chairman Michael Omisande, members are to arrive at meeting points by 8am, move to designated locations by 9am, and the Chairman’s speech will be read at the protest grounds by 10am. Uniform banners and placards will be provided by the State EXCO, and Coordinators have been tasked with ensuring effective mobilisation of members. Police authorities have also been informed of the new development in anticipation of the mother of all protests tentatively fixed for August 31. The Lagos State Council Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Funmi Sessi, who attended the meeting, appealed to the government to act fast to avoid confrontation. “We therefore, appeal to our members in Lagos and its environs to be prepared for the mother of all protest, if government fails to honour the agreement,” she said. The NUPCPS Lagos State Council Principal Secretary, Olagbaye Johnson, also urged pensioners to remain patient, noting that federal pensioners waited for eleven months before their own wage award was implemented. He said: “We pray by the time when the implementation shall come, nobody among us shall be missing. We shall all reap the fruits of our labour. Our labour shall never be in vain. Pensioners united can never be defeated. Solidarity forever.”

Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Government said it had not received funds from the Federal Government for the pension increase and was funding the additional liability for eligible state pensioners from its own resources. The government said the claim that federal funds meant for pensioners were being held by the state in a bank to generate interest was incorrect. According to the government, Lagos had already implemented the approved increase for eligible pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme, while the process for CPS retirees was still ongoing. The difference in the treatment of the two schemes was due to the structure of the CPS and the need to determine the state’s financial exposure before implementation. “Given the structure of the CPS and the need to determine the state’s full financial exposure accurately, an independent actuary has been engaged to assess the liability and provide the appropriate basis for implementation,” the government said. It added that comprehensive data on affected CPS pensioners had been requested from relevant PFAs and Approved Existing Schemes to validate the number of eligible beneficiaries, determine the applicable adjustments, and establish the overall financial implications. The government therefore rejected the suggestion that it was deliberately delaying or withholding the benefit. “The Lagos State Government, therefore, wishes to assure its pensioners that there is no deliberate delay or withholding of funds. The necessary work is being undertaken to ensure that the CPS component is implemented accurately, transparently and sustainably,” it said. The government also said pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme were already receiving the enhanced pension, explaining that where a Lagos retiree’s pension included a Federal Government component, the increase on that portion had already been paid by the Federal Government, adding that Lagos would not duplicate the payment.

READ ALSO:

Earlier in May 2026, the Lagos State Government disclosed that it had paid a total of ₦8,042,264,264.91 to retirees under both the Contributory Pension Scheme and Defined Benefit Scheme as part of efforts to strengthen workers’ welfare. The Head of Service, Bode Agoro, said the payment reflects the administration’s commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired public servants. Agoro also noted that a ₦50,000 palliative was paid to public servants in May 2026, while a ₦32,000 monthly pension increment was approved for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme. The state government said it remained committed to the welfare of pensioners and urged them to be patient as the process for the CPS beneficiaries was completed.

The Director-General of the National Pension Commission, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, has committed to engaging with Governor Sanwo-Olu to resolve critical issues affecting pensioners in the state, focusing on accelerated implementation of pension hikes for CPS retirees, settlement of 57-month arrears for Defined Benefit Scheme pensioners, and payment of 12-month wage award arrears. The PenCom boss urged the senior citizens to exercise patience while LASPEC concludes the determination of financial implications, noting that seeing retirees protesting on the streets would be a “distraction” to the President’s vision for social security. The Lagos State Council of the NLC has pledged to maintain regular engagement with LASPEC to monitor the progress of pension calculations and ensure retirees receive their due entitlements promptly.

The state government has urged pensioners to remain calm and patient as the necessary constitutional and legislative steps are completed, assuring them that their welfare remains a priority. According to available information, the actuarial evaluators have completed the calculations and assessment of the wage award approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This marks an important milestone in the process, as the technical evaluation required for implementation has now been concluded. The next stage is for Governor Sanwo-Olu to present the proposal to the Lagos State House of Assembly for legislative consideration. Once the House reviews and approves the proposal, the implementation process can proceed in line with the relevant legal and administrative procedures. Stakeholders hope that the remaining stages of the process will be handled promptly so that eligible pensioners can begin to benefit from the approved wage award as soon as possible. The welfare of retirees remains an important issue, and timely action would provide much-needed relief and reassurance to Lagos State Contributory Pensioners. Many pensioners have eagerly awaited progress on the wage award, hoping it will help improve their financial well-being in the face of rising living costs. While the process has taken time, the completion of the actuarial evaluation is a positive development that indicates progress is being made. Pensioners are therefore advised to remain calm and patient as the necessary constitutional and legislative steps are completed.

Lagos Pensioners Give Sanwo-Olu 19-Day Ultimatum: Implement Wage Award or Face ‘Mother of All Protests’

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending