In his response, the Acting CMD who did not deny knowledge of the issue, said, “I am aware of the matter and can’t say anything about it since it is presently before the Ministry for investigation.
By Ike Uchechukwu
A group under the aegis of Concerned Citizens Right (CSR) has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged corruption and falsification of service records at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State.
The group particularly asked that an independent body be set up by the presidency to carry out the investigation.
The Convener of the group, Mr Patrick Umoh, made the call in a press conference in Calabar on Sunday.
Umoh noted that the alleged corruption and falsification of records have pitted management of the hospital against the hospital’s labour unions.
He said the crisis that has gone on for years now, has affected the quality of service delivery by staffers of the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital.
He also alleged that “the Ministry of Health is not unaware of these issues, and they seem to have taken sides with the management. The hospital staff are now being intimidated and harassed for speaking out and exposing these abnormalities.”
“This is the reason why the President needs to step in directly and order a full-scale investigation to be conducted by persons other than those from the ministry,” the Convener of the group added.
Recall that the unions had alleged that the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Theophilus Osim Onyuku, had falsified his age and other records of service.
According to the unions, the CMD has three different ages on his record, which he did as a ploy not to exit service on June 20 2025.
“It is very shocking that with all the information made available to the Ministry, it has decided not to act.
On June 18, 2025, the CMD called for a meeting which was held at the conference hall and addressed staff as “infidels” for daring to bring this up for public scrutiny.
“His arrogance and looting of public funds remain very alarming, yet, in all of these unfortunate scenarios, the ministry has done nothing because they are observing table manners, don’t talk while eating,” he added.
“Is it not a miracle that a man who was employed as a Resident Doctor in 1997 passed out from his NYSC in 2003?” The unions queried.
In his response, Dr Theophilus, the Acting CMD who did not deny knowledge of the issue, said, “I am aware of the matter and can’t say anything about it since it is presently before the Ministry for investigation.
“I, however, want you to know that anyone in a position of authority will always have opposition,” he said.