The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over allegations bordering a N700 billion fraud during his tenure.
His arrest at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, followed an invitation extended to the former governor by the Commission.
He will be facing accusations of money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement when he served as Governor from 2015 to 2023,
Vanguard reported that it was informed by a source that the arrest stemmed from a petition by the civil society organization, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT).
The petition alleged that Emmanuel received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account but left behind a debt of N500 billion and N300 billion in unpaid ongoing projects. He is also said to be unable to account for N700 billion.
Investigations reportedly revealed N31 billion withdrawn in cash from an account titled ‘Office of the Governor’ between 2019 and 2023.
A source informed the paper that “we have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud. NACAT’s petition prompted our investigation. The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion but left behind a debt of N500 billion and unpaid projects worth N300 billion.
“He is also unable to account for N700 billion. Emmanuel arrived at our office around 12:30 p.m. and was arrested shortly after. Our investigations uncovered N31 billion withdrawn in cash from the ‘Office of the Governor’ account.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest.
In January 2025, NACAT had called for investigations into Emmanuel’s administration, but the former governor’s aides dismissed the allegations as baseless.
