From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The National Anti-Corruption Advocacy Team (NACAT) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate the past administration of Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.
In the petitions made available to Daily Sun, NACAT accused the former governor of mismanaging over N700 billion out of the more than N3 trillion that flowed into the state coffers during his eight-year tenure. The group also alleged that Emmanuel borrowed over N500 billion leaving numerous abandoned projects across the state.
NACAT’s Executive Director of Investigation, Fejiro Oliver Oghenedoro, outlined various instances of alleged financial misconduct, claiming the funds were diverted through dubious contracts and inflated security votes. Examples cited include:
The anti-corruption group called on the EFCC and ICPC to thoroughly investigate the allegations, prosecute those found culpable, and ensure stolen funds are recovered.
“Despite the over N3 trillion that came into Akwa Ibom State coffers under the eight years tenure of Udom, a staggering sum of N700 billion that cannot be accounted for was diverted by him, borrowed over 500 billion yet left abandoned projects across the state.
“You have all heard about security votes taken by governors over the years. We can tell you authoritatively using Udom as a case study that these so-called security votes were truly never given to our brave security operatives, but just used as mere pawns to loot the state.
“If immediate past governors like Ifeanyi Okowa and Yahaya Bello can be invited and probed, Udom Emmanuel should not be exempted,” the group said.