Ex-Governor uses wife’s name to buy $580,000 in U.S

Left a debt of over N500bn and unpaid ongoing projects worth over N300bn

N700 billion not accounted for in 8 years

Spent over N100bn to build 31 non-existing industries

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed receipt of a petition against former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, over alleged misappropriation of over N1.5 trillion state funds.

The development has stirred apprehension in Akwa Ibom government house and within the state’s political space with some condemning the ‘frivolous petition’ while others said ‘his probe is long overdue.’

Political Economist NG could not confirm whether the petition was political motivated as some claim there has been a cold war between the incumbent governor, Umo Eno, and Emmanuel, perceived by many as Eno’s benefactor.

An EFCC insider told Political Economist NG that it remains mere allegation but assuring that it will be investigated and treated like any other petition that the commission received.

A group, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT), had in the petition urged the EFCC to investigate Udom Emmanuel, over alleged misappropriation of state funds.

The group in a petition to EFCC accused Emmanuel of diverting over N1.5 trillion state funds, an allegation Mr Stephen Abia, the media aide to the former governor, dismissed as baseless and unfounded.

The petition was signed by NACAT’s Executive Director, Investigation, Fejiro Tega; Operation Manager, Stanley Ugabe; and Michael Ekpo; with Victor Thompson for Akwa Ibomites.

The petition reads: “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 Gov. 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 EFCC has not invited him for questioning and prosecution,” the group claimed.

The petition claimed that, in spite of the over N3 trillion that came into the Akwa Ibom State coffers under the eight years tenure of Udom, a staggering sum of N700 billion could not be accounted for.

“The former governor yet left a debt profile of over N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth over N300 billion, with abandoned projects littered all over the state,” it stated.

NACAT alleged that the former governor, through his cronies, allegedly awarded contracts to companies owned by his allies through which funds were siphoned from the state’s coffers.

It alleged that Emmanuel diverted the state’s funds through security votes, which were never given to the security agents that it was meant for.

According to the group, over N4.5 billion was withdrawn and claimed to be given to security agencies in a space of six months, while over N10 billion was spent in 2018 alone, as security votes.

The anti-corruption organisation accused the former governor of spending over N100 billion to build 31 industries that never saw the light of the day.

“The 31 industries, which gulped over N100 billion have not been built till now beyond the four he did that died after their commissioning.

“The only completed and standard projects he completed are his houses in Ikoyi, worth over N3 billion, as well as his new house undergoing construction that is built entirely with concrete and no blocks.

“Greenwell Technologies Limited which was claimed to be a PPP actually had 100 per cent ownership by Akwa Ibom with N650 million paid by Udom in 2016 to kickstart the fertilizer company,” it further alleged.

NACAT also claimed that the state government was paying the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) N1.5 billion yearly, ostensibly for supply of raw materials.

“Udom diverted all the billions made by the fertilizer company to a shell company in the U.S., named Greenwell Technologies LLC.

“He claimed that they were to supply raw materials, whereas it was ONSA that supplied raw materials and were already paid for.

“We also have cause to believe that Udom is a major shareholder of Globus Bank,” it further alleged.

“Majority of the state government’s accounts are now with Globus Bank right from when it was floated under his tenure in Akwa Ibom State and till now”, the group added.

It also claimed that New Dawn Microfinance Bank in Uyo is owned by the former governor’s allies.

NACAT also alleged that the former governor used people as fronts to perpetrate such, adding that the microfinance bank was a money laundering bank used to warehouse money for him.

It said that the former governor also used his wife to buy a property worth $580,000 in the U.S. located at 3939 Manor House, Drive, Charlotte, NC 28270.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Light Shedrack, Director of Compliance NACAT, said the group decided to officially send a petition to the EFCC chairman and would be ready to stand as witness in due course if called upon.