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From Fred Itua, Abuja
Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, is facing fresh investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on corruption when he held sway in Akwa Ibom between 2007-2015.
His close ally and a serving senator, Albert Akpan, was jailed recently. Akpannl served as Commissioner of Finance during Akpabio’s administration.
Akpabio has, however, begged the EFCC to shift the date of his appearance before operatives of the Commission. Indications of his invitation by the commission emerged yesterday in a letter written to the anti graft agency by the chamber of Mr. Umeh Kalu, dated March 27, 2023.
The Counsel to Akpabio appealed to the EFCC to shift the date of his expected appearance before the commission to a later date after the Easter and Ramadan holidays.
The Counsel recalled in a letter of February 10, 2023, where they alerted the EFCC that the former minister was undergoing treatment for pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia. They noted that Akpabio was advised to seek further medical help abroad.
Sources in EFCC confirmed the credibility of the letter to Daily Sun. Spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, didn’t deny either, but said he was not privy to the details.
Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom, told Daily Sun that he was unaware of the letter, but promised to make further inquiries. As of the time of filing this report, he was yet to revert.
The letter with the title ‘Re: Investigation activities – Senator Godswill Akpabio’s appointment’ reads: “We continue to net as solicitors to Senator Godswill Akpabio and write to you at his instance. We write to convey our client’s inability to honour the scheduled visit to your office on the 29th day of March, 2022 due to ill health and already arranged medical appointments overseas.
“As mentioned in our last letter to you dated February 10, 2023, our client is undergoing treatment for pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia, and has recently been advised to seek further attention abroad.
“It is in the light of the above, that we respectfully request that our client’s appointment with you be rescheduled to a date convenient to your officers. Preferably after the forthcoming Easter and Ramadan.
“This request is in no way intended to disrespect your high office, even as we regret every conceivable inconvenience that our request will occasion on you and your team of operatives.
“Please accept the assurances of our professional regards, while thanking you for your understanding.”
