“N1.5 trillion unaccounted for but N700 billion looted” – Petitioners
By Ime Silas
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have both confirmed receipt of copies of petition against the immediate-past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds.
Evidence of both confirmations have been sighted by our paper.
Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who succeeded Chief Godswill Akpabio (now President of the Senate) was governor of the oil-rich state from May 29, 2015 till May 29, 2023.
A group known as Network Against Corruption (NAC) in its petition dated 21st January, 2025 and addressed to the two anti-graft agencies, gave details of how Udom a former banker, acting reportedly in connivance with others, allegedly looted the sum of N700 billion, while about N1.5 trillion was unaccounted for.
Part of the petition sighted by our paper read ” As a leading anti-corruption group in Nigeria, we will be failing in our duties and responsibilities if we turn a blind eye to the wanton corruption and embezzlement of public funds orchestrated by former governor Udom Emmanuel.
We have painstakingly investigated and audited many of the financial records of the state available to us and detailed our findings here as part of our petition.
The diversion of funds and primitive massive acquisition of properties by Udom and his family members has left the residents and indigenes of the state wondering why the ICPC has not invited him for questioning and prosecution.
“Mr Chairman, despite the over N3 Trillion that came into the Akwa Ibom State coffers under the 8 years tenure of Udom, a staggering N700 billion can not be accounted for yet left a debt profile of over N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth over N300 billion, with abandoned projects littered over the state”.
Meanwhile, NAC has vowed to follow up with the petition to, according them, ensure that the former governor is brought to book and swiftly.
In a statement posted by one of its members, Fejiro Oliver, the anti-corruption group said:
“We promised you that on Wednesday, we will officially petition Ex. Gov. Udom Emmanuel but today Tuesday, we made true our promise.
They expected Wednesday but we’re disappointed.
We have officially submitted a detailed petition with evidences today to the EFCC.
We also submitted to ICPC”.
In a veiled allegation of overtures from persons named in the petition with intent to cause them to abandon the petition, Fejiro continued: “We had the options to sell out, be paid over a million dollars to back out but the promise we made to you is more important than the filthy stolen dollars.
Do we like money? Yes, we LOVE money a lot but we owe you a duty to be accountable to our words. If we ask for accountability from corrupt politicians, we should also be accountable to you who have believed in us, still believing in us and fighting for us.
We will follow this up and ensure that Udom Emmanuel is brought to book and swiftly. That they have promised us and as God liveth, Akwa Ibomites will NEVER be taken for a ride again by arrogant and class personified leaders who say they are richer than a state and don’t need the state money.
N1.5 trillion unaccounted for but N700 billion looted.
This is phase 1. We will submit phase 2 petition when we are done gathering our other verifiable facts. It’s a long journey to liberate the people of Akwa Ibom.
We will continue a different line of expose of Udom Emmanuel mis-governance of 8 years online, without disclosing what we have submitted in the petition. EFCC & ICPC will take it up from there now.
Thereafter, we will move to other past Governors of other states, to call them to account. Which immediate past Governor from 2015 to 2023 do you want us to bring to book? Just inbox us their names and we will do our best to see it come to pass”.
