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| Image:Tribune |
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of N700 billion fraud. Emmanuel, who governed the state from 2015 to 2023, was taken into custody after honoring an invitation at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
The former governor is being investigated for alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, and fraudulent contract allocations during his tenure.
The arrest follows a petition filed by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT), which accused Emmanuel of mismanaging state resources amounting to N1.5 trillion, with N700 billion reportedly unaccounted for.
According to NACAT, Emmanuel allegedly funneled state funds into private businesses, awarded contracts to companies owned by associates, and diverted security votes for personal use.
The group also claims that the former governor acquired numerous properties through proxies, including a $580,000 property in the United States allegedly purchased in his wife’s name.
An anonymous source at the EFCC confirmed the arrest, stating that the agency had uncovered suspicious financial transactions linked to Emmanuel. "The petitioner alleged that during his tenure, Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account but left behind a debt of N500 billion and ongoing unpaid projects worth N300 billion. Our investigation also found that N31 billion was withdrawn in cash from a single account named ‘Office of the Governor’ between 2019 and 2023,” the source revealed.
As investigations continue, Emmanuel remains in EFCC custody, assisting with inquiries. His legal team is expected to respond to the allegations in the coming days. The case marks another high-profile corruption probe by the EFCC, further highlighting concerns about financial mismanagement in Nigeria’s public sector.
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