Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over allegations of ₦700 billion fraud.

Emmanuel was taken into custody after honouring an EFCC invitation on Tuesday, following a petition filed by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The petitioners accused him of money laundering and diversion of public funds during his tenure 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

In a separate case, the EFCC on Friday arraigned former Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, alongside four others, at the Abia State High Court over allegations of misappropriating approximately ₦47 billion.

The other four defendants include:
Chinedum Orji, the former governor’s son,
Dr. Philip Nto, former Abia State Commissioner of Finance,
Obioma King, a government contractor, and
Romas Madu, former Director of Finance for Abia State.

They were arraigned before Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal and misappropriate public funds meant for various government programmes.

The charges include:
Misappropriation of ₦22.5 billion allocated as security votes from 2011 to 2015,
Theft of ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan facility,
Illegal diversion of ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund,
Conversion of ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan meant for the Abia State government and its local councils, and
Embezzlement of ₦2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funds designated for small and medium enterprises.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail. The court adjourned the trial to June 18th and 19th, 2025.