The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel over allegations of fraud amounting to N700 billion. Emmanuel, who governed the state from 2015 to 2023, was taken into custody on Tuesday after honoring an invitation from the anti-graft agency.
Sources within the EFCC confirmed that Emmanuel arrived at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja at around 12:30 p.m. He was immediately detained after responding to allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and theft.
“We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud,” an EFCC official said on condition of anonymity.
According to the source, the investigation was triggered by a petition from the civil society group, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The petition claimed that during Emmanuel’s eight-year tenure, the state received N3 trillion from the Federation Account, yet he allegedly left behind a debt of N500 billion and unfinished projects worth N300 billion.
“The petitioner alleged that he could not account for N700 billion,” the source added.
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Further investigations reportedly uncovered massive cash withdrawals from the state’s accounts.
“We have discovered the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account named ‘Office of the Governor.’ These transactions took place progressively between 2019 and 2023,” the source revealed.
The EFCC is now focusing on tracking the flow of funds and determining how the money was spent during Emmanuel’s administration.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the arrest. Efforts to reach the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.
This case adds to the growing list of former governors and politicians under investigation for alleged corruption. The EFCC has vowed to intensify its crackdown on financial crimes, ensuring that public funds are not misused.