₦700bn fraud allegations against Udom not from us — Akwa Ibom Gov

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has denied any involvement of the state government in the ₦700 billion fraud allegations leveled against his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel. The allegations, brought forward by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), are currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abak on Saturday, Eno dismissed the claims, questioning the origin of the figures being cited. He stated that the alleged amount could not have come from Akwa Ibom State, insisting that such figures were not within the state’s financial records.

The governor, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned what he described as a trend of vilifying past governors of the oil-rich South-South state. He pointed out that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, previous Akwa Ibom governors had faced similar accusations.

Eno expressed concern over how leaders are treated after their tenure, suggesting that such actions could be discouraging to those currently in office. He referenced former governors, including Victor Attah and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that they had also faced investigations after their terms. According to him, Emmanuel is now experiencing the same pattern of scrutiny.

The governor warned that these investigations could deter public officials from putting their best efforts into governance. He indicated that he already anticipates facing similar allegations once he leaves office. Eno argued that if a leader serves meritoriously, they should be honored and respected rather than subjected to corruption allegations that may lack merit.

He called for the dismissal of the accusations against Emmanuel, insisting that they were unfounded and should not be taken seriously. He emphasized that such vilification was neither correct nor truthful.

On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, EFCC operatives detained Emmanuel in connection with the alleged ₦700 billion fraud. The investigation followed claims of money laundering and fund diversion during his tenure as governor from May 2015 to May 2023.

According to the petitioner, Emmanuel received ₦3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left a debt profile of ₦500 billion and unpaid projects worth ₦300 billion. Additionally, he was accused of being unable to account for ₦700 billion in state funds.

The EFCC has not yet released an official statement on the status of the investigation, but the case has sparked political debates within Akwa Ibom State. While some residents and political figures demand accountability, others view the allegations as politically motivated.

Eno’s strong defense of his predecessor signals his stance against what he perceives as an unjust pattern of targeting past leaders. However, with the EFCC continuing its probe, the outcome of the investigation remains uncertain.