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

Former Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged ₦700 billion fraud. 

Emmanuel, who served from 2015 to 2023, was taken into custody at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday after honouring an invitation from the anti-graft agency. 

His arrest follows a petition by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, alleging he mismanaged state funds, including ₦3 trillion received from the Federation Account, leaving behind ₦500 billion in debts and ₦300 billion in unpaid projects. 

Investigations by THE PUNCH reportedly uncovered cash withdrawals of ₦31 billion from a single account named “Office of the Governor” between 2019 and 2023.