Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over allegations of a N700 billion fraud.
The ex-governor was taken into custody on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja following an invitation by the anti-graft agency. Emmanuel, who governed Akwa Ibom from 2015 to 2023, is being investigated for alleged money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement during his tenure.
Sources revealed that the arrest followed a petition from the civil society group, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The petition alleged that while Emmanuel’s administration received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account, he left behind a debt of N500 billion and N300 billion in unpaid projects. He is also accused of failing to account for N700 billion.
Further investigations reportedly uncovered N31 billion withdrawn in cash from an account titled ‘Office of the Governor’ between 2019 and 2023.
A source within the EFCC confirmed the development, stating, “The former governor was arrested based on NACAT’s petition. Our findings indicate that N31 billion was withdrawn in cash from the ‘Office of the Governor’ account.”
As of press time, the EFCC has not released an official statement on the arrest, and its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, has not responded to inquiries.
Meanwhile, in January 2025, NACAT had called for a probe into Emmanuel’s administration. However, his aides dismissed the allegations as unfounded, with his media assistant, Steven Abia, insisting that the former governor had nothing to worry about.
