By Abiola Olawale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly arrested the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, over allegations of a staggering N700 billion fraud during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.
According to sources within the EFCC, the former governor was purpose-invited for questioning and was subsequently detained after arriving at the agency’s headquarters around 12:30 PM.
It was reported that the allegations stem from a petition filed by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), a civil society organization, which accused Emmanuel of alleged money laundering, diversion of funds, and outright theft of public funds.
The petition claims that the state received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account during Emmanuel’s eight-year administration, yet left behind a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid projects worth N300 billion, with N700 billion allegedly unaccounted for.
An EFCC insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that preliminary investigations uncovered suspicious withdrawals, including N31 billion allegedly taken in cash from an account labelled “Office of the Governor” between 2019 and 2023.
