PeakNews Online
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud amounting to N700 billion.
Sources confirmed that Emmanuel was taken into custody shortly after arriving at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. He was reportedly invited by the anti-graft agency over allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and misappropriation.
The allegations were brought forward by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NCAT), a civil society organisation, which accused Emmanuel’s administration of financial mismanagement. The petitioner claimed that the former governor received N3 trillion from the Federation Account during his eight-year tenure but left the state with a debt profile of N500 billion and ongoing unpaid projects worth N300 billion.
Additionally, the petition alleges that an audit of the state’s financial records uncovered the mismanagement of N700 billion under Emmanuel’s leadership.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the arrest.
