A former Akwa Ibom State governor named Udom Emmanuel has been arrested by EFCC agents for allegedly committing a N700 billion fraud.
Following his acceptance of the EFCC’s request on Tuesday to respond to the Network against Corruption and Trafficking’s claims of money laundering and fund diversion, Emmanuel was taken into custody.
The petitioner claimed that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account over the course of eight years, but that he left behind N500 billion in debt and N300 billion in unpaid ongoing projects. He was also accused of failing to account for N700 billion.
Operatives are questioning Emmanuel as part of the EFCC’s continuing investigations.
When called, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale was unavailable.
Emmanuel led Akwa Ibom State as its governor from 2015 to 2023 while running on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
At the Abia State High Court last Friday, the EFCC charged four individuals, including former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, with embezzlement of approximately ₦47 billion.
Obioma King, a government contractor; Dr. Philip Nto, a former Abia State commissioner of finance; his son, Engineer Chinedum Orji; and Romas Madu, a former Abia State director of finance, are the other four defendants in addition to the former governor.
Justice Lilian Abai, the Chief Judge, arraigned them all on a 16-count indictment that included conspiracy to steal and convert billions of naira intended for various government programs.
They are specifically charged with embezzling N22.5 billion that was set aside for security votes between 2011 and 2015, stealing ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan facility, and converting N12 billion from the Paris Club refund illegally.
They are also accused of stealing ₦2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria funds intended for small and medium-sized businesses and ₦10.5 billion from a loan given by First Bank to the Abia State government and its local councils.
All five defendants entered not guilty pleas to the charges, were released on bail, and the case was postponed until June 18 and 19, 2025, for trial.
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