EFCC arrests ex-Akwa Ibom Gov, Udom over alleged N700bn fraud

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

Emmanuel, who served as governor between 2015 and 2023, reportedly arrived at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday following an invitation from the anti-graft agency.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that Emmanuel was arrested after honoring the EFCC’s invitation to answer allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and stealing.

The source stated :

“We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud. NACAT’s petition prompted our investigation. The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion but left behind a debt of N500 billion and unpaid projects worth N300 billion. He is also unable to account for N700 billion. Emmanuel arrived at our office around 12:30 p.m. and was arrested shortly after. Our investigations uncovered N31 billion withdrawn in cash from the ‘Office of the Governor’ account".

In January 2025, NACAT had called for investigations into Emmanuel’s administration. The former governor’s aides dismissed the allegations as baseless, with his media assistant, Steven Abia, stating that Emmanuel remained unperturbed by the corruption claims.