The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, over an alleged N700 billion fraud.
Emmanuel was taken into custody on Tuesday after voluntarily responding to an EFCC invitation to address allegations of money laundering and fund diversion. The accusations stem from a petition filed by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, which claims Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account over his eight-year tenure but left behind a debt of N500 billion and unfinished projects worth N300 billion. The petitioners allege that N700 billion remains unaccounted for.
EFCC operatives are currently interrogating Emmanuel as investigations continue. When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale was unavailable for comment. Emmanuel, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governed Akwa Ibom from 2015 to 2023.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has also arraigned former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and four others at the Abia State High Court over the alleged misappropriation of ₦47 billion. The co-defendants include Orji’s son, Engineer Chinedum Orji; former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Dr. Philip Nto; government contractor Obioma King; and former Director of Finance, Romas Madu.
The charges, presented before Chief Judge Justice Lilian Abai, include a 16-count indictment for conspiracy, theft, and the unlawful conversion of government funds. The EFCC accuses the defendants of misappropriating ₦22.5 billion allocated for security votes between 2011 and 2015, siphoning ₦13 billion from a Diamond Bank loan, and diverting ₦12 billion from the Paris Club refund. Additionally, they allegedly converted ₦10.5 billion from a First Bank loan intended for the state and its local councils, along with ₦2 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria funds meant for small and medium enterprises.
All five defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. The court has scheduled the trial for June 18 and 19, 2025.
