The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel over alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds during his eight-year tenure.
The petition was submitted at the EFCC headquarters on Tuesday, with NACAT representatives alleging that significant state resources were misappropriated under Emmanuel’s administration.
Leading the submission were Fejiro Oliver Tega Oghenedoro, NACAT’s Executive Director of Investigations, and Stanley Ugabe, the Operations Manager.
The petition claims that Emmanuel diverted over N4.5 billion in state funds within six months in 2018, purportedly for security operations that were allegedly never carried out. NACAT further alleged that funds intended for security agencies such as the police, army, and navy were redirected into private accounts.
Citing ongoing investigations into other former governors, NACAT urged the anti-graft agencies to extend the same level of scrutiny to Emmanuel.
Speaking to journalists after submitting the petition, Oghenedoro said:
“NACAT would be failing in its duties if we ignored the alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds by the former governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“We have thoroughly investigated and audited many of the state’s financial records available to us and detailed our findings in the petition.
“For instance, over N4.5 billion was withdrawn and claimed to be allocated to security agencies within six months in 2018, which we have traced.
“We can state that these so-called security votes were not received by our security operatives but were instead misused to benefit a few.
“The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State in 2018 can clarify whether Udom released N360 million to a unit called Operation Thunder under his command.
“If immediate past governors like Ifeanyi Okowa and Yahaya Bello can be invited and investigated, Udom Emmanuel should also be required to account for our allegations against him.
“We have come to the EFCC office to officially submit a petition so that Nigerians will be informed and can follow the case.”
The petition highlights NACAT’s call for accountability and transparency, urging the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the allegations thoroughly and inform the public of their findings.