EFCC Receives Petition To Probe Security Vote in Akwa Ibom

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a petition requesting an investigation into the security vote under the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, over allegations of mismanagement of N700 billion and other state allocations.

The petition was submitted by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), an anti-graft organization, to both the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC). The group has called for a thorough investigation into the former governor’s tenure, citing concerns about the management of state funds.

In the petition, signed by Stanley Ugabe, NACAT’s operational manager, the organization accused Udom of mismanaging public funds during his eight years in office. They pointed to other former governors who are under investigation, such as Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, arguing that Udom should also be held accountable and called to answer for the alleged mismanagement.

The petition outlined that approximately N700 billion from the state’s security vote remains unaccounted for based on their investigation. It also raised concerns about specific payments, including N360 million reportedly paid from the governor’s office to cover “operational expenses for Operation Thunder,” through the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Zenith Bank account.

In addition, the group requested that the EFCC and ICPC investigate 1,521 withdrawals, totaling N1.16 billion made by a single individual during Udom’s tenure.

This development comes on the heels of similar probes into former governors. Former Delta State governor Okowa is currently being investigated for the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion — the 13 percent derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023. Similarly, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is facing corruption charges related to his activities during his eight years in office, with an ongoing prosecution concerning a N110 billion fraud case.

The NACAT petition adds to growing calls for accountability in the management of state funds by former governors across the country.