EFCC Quizles Akwa Ibom Ex-Governor, Udom Emmanuel Over Alleged ₦700bn Fraud

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud involving ₦700 billion.

Udom Emmanuel, who governed the state from 2015 to 2023, arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday after being invited for questioning.

The former governor, however, was reportedly arrested shortly after his arrival.

A source familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, revealed that the ex-governor is being investigated for alleged money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement.

“We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

“A civil society organisation called the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking petitioned the EFCC, prompting our investigation.

 “The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left behind a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth N300 billion. He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700 billion.

“Emmanuel arrived at our office around 12:30 p.m. and was arrested shortly after,” the source stated.

Further findings revealed that ₦31 billion was withdrawn in cash from a single account named “Office of the Governor” between 2019 and 2023.

The source added, “Over investigations have uncovered the withdrawal of N31bn in cash in one single account. The name of the account is Office of the Governor. The money was withdrawn in cash progressively between 2019 and 2023.”

Efforts to get a response from the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off at the time of filing this report.

KanyiDaily recalls that the EFCC recently arrested Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), over allegations of contract fraud and financial misconduct.