An anti-graft group, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), has petitioned both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) against the immediate past Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, urging the agencies to investigate the eight-year tenure of the former governor.
In the petition dated January 21, 2025, signed by its operational manager, Stanley Ugabe and addressed to the chairmen of the two anti-graft agencies respectively, sighted by Tribune Online in Abuja, NACAT, which described itself as a leading anti-corruption group in Nigeria, alleged that there was “wanton corruption and embezzlement of public funds orchestrated by former governor Udom Emmanuel”.
The group stated that turning a blind eye to it could amount to failing in its duties and responsibilities.
In the 28-page petition, NACAT alleged that based on its investigation, a whooping sum of about N700 billion remained unaccounted for during the eight-year tenure of the former governor.
It stated that it had painstakingly investigated and audited many of the financial records of Akwa Ibom State available to it and detailed its findings as part of the petition.
“As a leading anti-corruption group in Nigeria, we will be failing in our duties and responsibilities if we turn a blind eye to the wanton corruption and embezzlement of public funds orchestrated by former governor Udom Emmanuel.
“We have painstakingly investigated and audited many of the financial records of the state available to us and detailed our findings here as part of our petition.
“The diversion of funds and primitive massive acquisition of properties by Udom and his family members have left the residents and indigenes of the state wondering why the EFCC has not invited him for questioning and prosecution,” NACAT stated in the petition, assuring of its readiness “to stand as witness in due course if called upon”.
It alleged that despite the over N3 trillion that accrued to the Akwa Ibom State’s coffers during the tenure of the former governor with N700 billion allegedly unaccounted for, the former governor “yet left a debt profile of over N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth over N300 billion, with abandoned projects littered over the state”.
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While listing some of the ways monies were spent, the group alleged that under a suspicious payment for “operational expenses for Operation Thunder”, the Akwa Ibom government paid out a total of N360,000,000 from the office of the governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094.
Also, NACAT drew the attention of the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate 1,521 withdrawals of a total of N1,160,000,000 by a single individual during the tenure of former governor Udom.
While alleging that the former governor mismanaged state funds, the group noted that “if immediate past governors like Ifeanyi Okowa and Yahaya Bello can be invited, probed and facing prosecution, Udom should not be exempted to come and give accounts of our allegations against him.”
Meanwhile, EFCC has acknowledged receipt of the group’s petition addressed to its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
In the acknowledgement, sighted by our correspondent, titled “Petition receipt”, the anti-corruption commission stated, “This is to certify that the petition with the following details was received by the commission on this day, Tuesday 21st January, 2025 at 01:37 PM.
“Petition number: EFCC/PET/HQR/0226/2025
“Title: Detailed petition on the former Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, family members and state government officials.”
When contacted, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the receipt of the petition, stating that it was submitted to the commission on Tuesday.
Reacting to the allegations raised by NACAT in the petition, Mr Stephen Abia, media aide to the former governor Udom, dismissed the petition, describing the allegations as baseless.
According to him, the petition was the handiwork of the enemies of the former governor, adding that his boss recorded enviable achievements while serving as governor, submitting that records were on the ground to prove this.
While asserting that the NACAT allegations against the former governor, which he claimed were frivolous and unfounded, did not hold water, Abia said his principal ruled Akwa Ibom with utmost transparency and duly observed due process in his dealings while in office.
He further described the petition as trash that does not need to be reckoned with, adding that the writers of the petition did not only have no good record but were also known for their notorious activities.
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