The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over allegations of ₦700 billion fraud. Emmanuel was taken into custody on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja after responding to an official invitation from the anti-graft agency.
The former governor, who served from 2015 to 2023, is facing accusations of money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement during his tenure.
According to sources, Emmanuel’s arrest follows a petition from the civil society group Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), which alleged that he mismanaged funds while in office. The petition claims that:
- Emmanuel received over ₦3 trillion from the Federation Account but left behind a debt of ₦500 billion and ₦300 billion in unpaid projects.
- He is unable to account for ₦700 billion.
- Investigations revealed ₦31 billion was withdrawn in cash from an account titled “Office of the Governor” between 2019 and 2023.
A source within the EFCC stated, “We have arrested the former governor over an alleged ₦700 billion fraud. NACAT’s petition prompted our investigation. Our findings uncovered billions in suspicious cash withdrawals and financial mismanagement.”
As of press time, the EFCC has not released an official statement regarding the arrest. The agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, has not responded to inquiries.
Meanwhile, the former governor’s aides have dismissed the allegations as baseless. His media assistant, Steven Abia, stated that Emmanuel remains unbothered by the corruption claims.
In January 2025, NACAT had publicly called for a probe into Emmanuel’s administration, citing concerns over fund mismanagement and unaccounted state resources.
