By Esi-ife Arogundade
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Udom Emmanuel, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, in connection with alleged fraud amounting to billions of naira. A petition submitted to the anti-graft agency by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) detailed an extensive investigation into the financial records of Akwa Ibom State.
The findings revealed significant corruption and embezzlement of public funds, particularly in 2018, prompting NACAT to refer the case to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
Stanley Ugagbe, NACAT’s Operations Manager, reported that over N3 trillion was allocated to Akwa Ibom during Emmanuel’s eight years in office, but a staggering amount, estimated at billions of naira, was alleged. In addition, Emmanuel’s administration borrowed over N500 billion to fund unsuccessful projects throughout the state.
Ugagbe highlighted that more than N4.5 billion was withdrawn and claimed to have been given to security agencies within a period of just six months. In 2018 alone, over N10 billion was reportedly spent as security votes, alongside withdrawals totalling N4.665 billion from the Office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State into a Wema Bank account.
In response to these developments, anti-corruption expert Light Shedrack emphasized that elected leaders must be accountable to the citizens who put them in office, asserting that every kobo received should be properly accounted for.
He remarked, “Not a single kobo labeled as a security vote belongs to any governor. While they serve as the chief security officer of their state, these funds do not belong to them; they are state funds.”
