EFCC Arrests Ex-Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel Over Alleged N700bn Fraud

Confidence UbaniMarch 5, 20252 Mins read365

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over an alleged N700 billion fraud. Emmanuel, who governed the state from 2015 to 2023, was taken into custody on Tuesday. He honoured an invitation to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 12:30 p.m.

His arrest followed a petition by the civil society organisation Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The group accused him of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and misappropriation of state resources.

A source familiar with the investigation told PUNCH, “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 is also unable to account for N700 billion.

The source also revealed that N31 billion was withdrawn in cash from an account titled “Office of the Governor” between 2019 and 2023. Despite the substantial sums involved, there has been no official statement from the current Akwa Ibom State administration regarding a probe into Emmanuel’s tenure. Neither the EFCC nor its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, has commented on the arrest yet.

In a similar development on Friday, the EFCC arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, alongside his son and three others, over the alleged misappropriation of ₦47 billion. The defendants include Orji’s son, Engr. Chinedum Orji, a former Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Philip Nto, a government contractor, Obioma King, and a former Director of Finance, Romas Madu. They were arraigned before the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, theft, and unlawful conversion of public funds.

The EFCC accused them of misappropriating ₦22.5 billion in security votes between 2011 and 2015, diverting ₦13 billion from a loan obtained from Diamond Bank, and illegally converting ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund. Additionally, they are alleged to have converted ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan meant for the state government and its local councils, as well as ₦2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria funds designated for small and medium enterprises.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The trial has been adjourned to June 18 and 19, 2025. Another similar case involves former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who remains at large. The EFCC had filed a 19-count charge against him over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud, but any decisive action is yet to be taken.

His case, alongside Orji’s and several other former governors facing corruption charges, raises concerns about selective enforcement in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.

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