EFCC arrests Ex-Akwa Ibom Gov, Udom Emmanuel over alleged N700bn fr@ud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, over allegations of financial mismanagement and fr@ud amounting to N700 billion.

The arrest, which took place on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, followed an invitation extended to Emmanuel for questioning.

Emmanuel, who served as governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2015 to 2023, now faces multiple accusations including money laundering, fund diversion, and the misappropriation of state funds during his tenure.

These serious charges stem from a petition filed by the civil society organization, Network Against Corruption and Tr@fficking (NACAT).

According to the petition, Emmanuel allegedly received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account during his eight years in office.

However, he is accused of leaving behind a crippling debt of N500 billion, alongside N300 billion worth of unpaid ongoing projects. Moreover, he is said to be unable to account for approximately N700 billion in state funds.

Further investigations have revealed that between 2019 and 2023, a staggering N31 billion was withdrawn in cash from an account designated “Office of the Governor.”

These findings have added significant weight to the allegations of financial misconduct, prompting the EFCC to initiate a thorough investigation into the former governor’s activities.

A source close to the EFCC confirmed the arrest, stating, “We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fr@ud.

NACAT’s petition triggered our investigation, which uncovered financial irregularities.” It was  added that Emmanuel arrived at the EFCC office around 12:30 p.m. and was detained shortly thereafter.

Despite the arrest, the EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Attempts to reach the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, for comments were unsuccessful.

In response to the allegations, aides of the former governor have dismissed the claims as baseless.

Steven Abia, Emmanuel’s media assistant, insisted that the former governor remains unfazed by the accusations, calling them politically motivated.