Former Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel Arrested Over ₦700 Billion Fraud

Former Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel has been arrested over ₦700 billion fraud.

Newsone Nigeria reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested Udom Emmanuel, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, south-south Nigeria, over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

This online news platform understands that the former Akwa Ibom Governor arrived at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday following an invitation from the anti-graft agency.

Emmanuel, who served as governor between 2015 and 2023, was arrested after honoring the EFCC’s invitation to answer allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and stealing, a report filed by PUNCH quoted a source to have said.

“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 source said.

The source added, “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.”

According to the source, investigations uncovered the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account named “Office of the Governor.”

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 The money was withdrawn in cash progressively between 2019 and 2023.”

Meanwhile, as of the time of filing this report, Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, was yet to state Udom Emmanuel’s arrest.