EFCC Arrests Former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel Over Alleged ₦700 Billion Fraud

Operatives of the EFCC arrested former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel over alleged ₦700 billion fraud and money laundering.

EFCC took Emmanuel into custody after he honoured their invitation on Tuesday regarding the fraud allegations against him.

The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) filed a petition accusing Emmanuel of laundering and diverting public funds as governor.

According to the allegations, Emmanuel received ₦3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left the state with a debt profile of ₦500 billion and unfinished projects worth ₦300 billion. Additionally, he is alleged to be unable to account for ₦700 billion in state funds.

EFCC officials are currently interrogating him as investigations continue. When contacted, the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for comments.

Udom Emmanuel served as the governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2015 to 2023 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

EFCC Also Arraigns Former Abia State Governor Over Alleged ₦47 Billion Fraud

A separate case saw the EFCC arraign ex-Abia Governor Theodore Orji and four others for misappropriating approximately ₦47 billion in funds.

The EFCC charged Orji’s son, Chinedum, ex-Finance Commissioner Philip Nto, contractor Obioma King, and ex-Finance Director Romas Madu.

The EFCC arraigned them before Chief Judge Lilian Abai at Abia State High Court on 16 counts of conspiracy and misappropriation.

Charges include misusing ₦22.5 billion security votes from 2011–2015 and stealing ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan facility.

They also allegedly diverted ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund and ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan.

The First Bank loan was meant for Abia State and its local councils but was allegedly misappropriated by the defendants for personal gain.

EFCC further accused them of embezzling ₦2 billion from Central Bank funds intended for small and medium enterprises in Abia.

All five defendants denied the charges in court and pleaded not guilty before the Chief Judge during their arraignment.

The court granted bail to the defendants and scheduled trial dates for June 18th and 19th, 2025, in Umuahia.

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