The immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N700 billion fraud.
Emmanuel, who served as the governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2015 and 2023, reportedly turned himself in when he arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
He was at the office to honour an invitation earlier extended to him by the anti-graft agency.
Emmanuel was consequently detained after honouring the EFCC’s invitation to answer allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and stealing.
“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 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,” a source said.
The source further revealed that investigations uncovered the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account named “Office of the Governor.”
“Our investigations have uncovered the withdrawal of N31billion 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 The money was withdrawn in cash progressively between 2019 and 2023.”
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