Allegations of Corruption Against Former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel

A recent press briefing by an anti-corruption group, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), has brought to light serious allegations against former Akwa Ibom State Governor Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. The group claims that Mr Udom Emmanuel and his cronies orchestrated monumental corruption, diverting over N1.5 trillion, laundering money, and awarding contracts to companies with vested interests.

The Petition titled, Detailed Petition On The Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, Family Members And State Government Officials On The Monumental Corruption, Funds Diversion Of Over N1.5 Trillion, Money Laundering And Looting Orchestrated By Him And His Cronies And Award of Contracts To Company With Vested Interest Which Are Owned By His Allies Through Which Funds Are Siphoned From The State Coffers Leading To Conflict of Interest As Serving Public Officers

The release stated that during Emmanuel's eight-year tenure, over N3 trillion flowed into the state's coffers, but a staggering N700 billion remains unaccounted for. The group alleges that Emmanuel borrowed over N500 billion, leaving behind abandoned projects across the state.

The press briefing also highlighted the misuse of security votes, citing examples from 2018 where millions of naira were withdrawn from the governor's office account, supposedly for security purposes, but never reached the intended recipients.

The group further alleges that Emmanuel used his position to acquire properties and accumulate wealth, including a house in Ikoyi worth over N3 billion and a property in the US purchased through his wife. They also claim that Emmanuel diverted funds from a fertilizer company to a shell company in the US and has ties to Globus Bank and New Dawn Microfinance Bank, which are allegedly used for money laundering.

The anti-corruption group has submitted a petition to the EFCC, calling for an investigation into these allegations. They argue that Emmanuel should be held accountable, just like other former governors who have faced prosecution for similar offenses.

Excerpts from the press release reads;

We will be giving you few examples of such using 2018. We will be submitting other years from 2015 to the EFCC.

Money diverted through security votes that were never given to them

1. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR OPERATION THUNDER received a total of N360,000,000 (Three Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094. Perhaps, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State in 2018 can tell Nigerians if Udom released N360 million to just a unit called operation thunder under him.

2. SECURITY OF STAKEHOLDERS received total cash payments of N650,000,000 (Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094.

3. SECURITY LOGISTICS & MAINTANANCE received cash payments of N611,000,000 (Six Hundred and Eleven Million Naira) each from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094.

4. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR CIVIL DEFENCE received a total cash payment of N490,000,000 (Four Hundred and Ninety Million Naira) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094. The Commandant in 2018 never saw N50 million from Udom, but his name was used to withdraw in cash N650 million.

5. OPERATIONAL EXPENSE FOR ARMY received total cash payments of N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) from the Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094. The Nigerian Army didn’t see half a billion but Udom as Governor fleeced the state such amount using their name.

6. OPERTIONAL EXPENSES FOR NAVY received a total cash payment of N480,000,000 (Four Hundred and Eighty Million) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094.Again, Udom used the name of the Navy to commit financial crimes.

7. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES ANTI BOMB & CIB received a total cash payment of N480, 000,000 (Four Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account ber 1014317094. This is another unit under the Commissioner of Police which Udom used to loot the state treasury.

8. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR SSS received a total cash payment of N480, 000,000 (Four Hundred and Eighty Million) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094. Even our dear SSS were not left out in this heist committed by Udom, using its name to collect money.

9. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES QUICK RESPONS SQUAD received a total cash payment of N480, 000,000 (Four Hundred and Eighty Million) from The Office of the Governor AKSG Zenith Bank account number 1014317094. Udom struck again using the name of the Nigerian Police to dip hands into public treasury.

Gentlemen, over N4.5 billion was withdrawn and claimed to be given to security agencies in a space of six months which we traced. Over N10 billion from our sources was spent in just 2018 as security votes.

Attached herewith is full video of the Press Briefing.