EFCC Grills Ex-Gov Udom Emmanuel Over Shocking ₦700bn Fraud Allegations

By Achimi Muktar

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom, over an alleged ₦700 billion fraud.

Udom, who governed the oil-rich state from 2015 to 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was taken into custody on Tuesday after honoring an invitation from the anti-graft agency at its Abuja headquarters.

His detention follows a petition filed by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), accusing him of massive financial mismanagement, including money laundering and fund diversion amounting to ₦70 billion.

The petitioners claim that during his eight-year tenure, Emmanuel received ₦3 trillion from the Federation Account yet left behind a staggering ₦500 billion debt for the state. Additionally, they allege he abandoned uncompleted projects worth ₦300 billion and failed to account for ₦700 billion in state funds.

Sources indicate that EFCC operatives are currently interrogating the former governor over these allegations, with investigations expected to deepen in the coming days.