An anti-corruption group known as the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT), has dragged former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over an alleged misappropriation of state funds running into N1.5 trillion.
In a petition sent to the anti-graft agency in Abuja on Tuesday jointly signed by the Executive Director in charge of Investigation, Fejiro Tega; Operation Manager, Stanley Ugabe; Michael Ekpo and Victor Thompson, NACAT urged the EFCC to immediately commence investigation into the alleged fraud and diversion of state funds by the former governor while he was in office.
In the petition, NACAT noted that, in spite of the over N3 trillion that came into the state coffers under the eight years tenure of Emmanuel, a staggering sum of N700 billion could not be accounted for.
NACAT stated that the former governor, through his cronies, allegedly awarded contracts to companies owned by his allies through which funds were said to have been siphoned from the state’s coffers.
The group claimed over N4.5 billion was withdrawn and claimed to be given to security agencies in a space of six months, while over N10 billion was spent in 2018 alone, as security votes.
It further alleged that the former governor diverted the state’s funds through security votes, which were never given to the security agents that it was meant for.
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.
Part of 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 wrote.
“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.
“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 kick-start the fertilizer company.
“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 as 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 also allege 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, noting specifically that the former governor also used his wife to buy a property worth 580,000 dollars in the U.S. located at 3939 Manor House, Drive, Charlotte, NC 28270.
However, the media aide to the ex-governor, Stephen Abia, has dismissed the allegations which he described as baseless.
While speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, Abia said the petition was the handiwork of the enemies of the former governor orchestrated by a top politician in the state.
Abia emphasized that records on ground are proofs to the achievements of his boss during his tenure.
He stressed that the allegation did not hold water, were frivolous and baseless as his principal ruled the state with utmost transparency and observed due process in all his dealings as governor.
According to Abia, the petition is not only lacking in merit but a trash, which should not be reckoned with, adding that the authors were only playing to the gallery and have no good records as they were known for their notorious activities.