NewStats: 3,264,710 , 8,184,478 topics. Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025 at 07:02 AM 1v531m

EFCC Arrests Ex-Governor Akpabio Over Alleged Multi-billion Naira Fraud

A former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and incumbent Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, was on Friday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
TIMES investigation shows that Mr. Akpabio was taken in by EFCC operatives at about 5.20 pm.

He was said to have been accompanied a few aides and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Ricky Tarfa.

An aide to the former governor, who cannot be named because he is not authorised to speak on the matter told TIMES that Mr. Akpabio is currently being interrogated by top officials of the EFCC.

An EFCC source confirmed the development.

“He was brought in at about 5.20 pm accompanied by a few aides and Mr. Rickey Tarfa,” the source said.

“It is not yet known whether he will be allowed to go this night. It depends on how the interrogation goes.”

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, did not answer or return calls seeking comment for this story.

The EFCC had begun investigation into alleged theft of N108.1billion of Akwa Ibom funds by the former governor in June.

The action followed a petition forwarded to the commission by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong.

Mr. Ekpenyong had on June 8 petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari and the EFCC, calling for Mr. Akpabio’s probe and accusing him of looting Akwa Ibom state treasury.

Investigations by TIMES showed that several other indigenes of the state who are demanding the investigation of the former governor, have been invited by the EFCC to adopt their petitions.

On his part, Mr. Ekpenyong was summoned on Wednesday, June 17, to adopt his petition and provide more details to some of the allegations he made against Mr. Akpabio.

The former governor, now senator, was elected in 2007, at a time the nation enjoyed robust oil revenue.

Akwa Ibom and Rivers States are Nigeria’s largest oil-producing states. The two states alternate as first and second top producers periodically.

The two states receive the highest funds allocation from the Federation s Allocation Committee, FAAC, monthly.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the office of the ant General of the Federation indicate that under Mr. Akpabio, known for ostentatious spending, Akwa Ibom received a staggering N1. 6 trillion from FAAC between June 2007 and May 2014.

At the time he vacated office on May 29, the state received more, excluding other revenues like Ecological Funds, internally generated revenue etc.

In a new petition to the EFCC dated June 22, and copied to Mr. Buhari and the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, Mr. Ekpenyong gave details of some of Mr. Akpabio’s alleged financial recklessness.

He alleged that between January and December 2014, the ex-governor colluded with two of his top aides to steal a whopping N108.1 billion from the state’s treasury.

Mr. Ekpenyong told the EFCC that the former Government House Permanent Secretary, Etekamba Umoren, and the former ant General of the state, Udo Isobara, colluded with Mr. Akpabio to steal the funds.

“Between January –December 2014, it is on record that the trio of Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Etekamba Umoren and Mr. Udo Isobara, made illegal but substantial withdrawals of cash from a designated state government-owned with Zenith Bank with number: 1010375881 amounting to N22.1 billion,” he stated in the petition.

“It is worthy of note that reasons for such ungodly cash withdrawals against financial regulations and due process laws range between sundry use and unjustifiable expenditures by Godswill Akpabio and his numerous surrogates and proxies.

“For example, a whopping N18 billion was withdrawn fraudulently from the state FAAC with the United Bank for Africa in trenches of N10 million and above by Mr. Isobara in a surreptitious manner to conceal their dishonest intention.”

For assisting Mr. Akpabio retire billions of the stolen funds, Mr. Ekpenyong said Mr. Umoren was rewarded with an appointment as Government House chief of staff and now secretary to the state government under Udom Emmanuel’s istration.

The legal practitioner went on to state that over N50 billion of Akwa Ibom funds were spent by the former governor during the last general elections.

During the period under review, he said Mr. Akpabio also withdrew a whopping N18 billion from the state coffers under the guise of special services, reception of very important guests and sundry items.

“The cumulative aggregate of these monies stolen by Godswill Akpabio from the coffers of government as pocket money is the annual budget of some states in Nigeria put together,” the petition reads.

He listed the bouquet of assets acquired by the former governor through surrogates to include a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 5 Okogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja, a multi-billion naira mansionette at Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja and another multi-billion naira mansion at 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Others include a multi-billion naira mansionette at Plot 23 Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos and a multi-billion naira 25 storey building at Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“As earlier promised, more details of assets and graft-related funds illegally and fraudulently siphoned from Akwa Ibom State treasury and laundered to foreign destinations are in the offing. As usual, we will do the needful.

An EFCC source said senior officials of the commission held discussions with Mr. Ekpenyong on the petition on Tuesday.

“He also adopted the petition he forwarded to the commission and provided additional details about the alleged stealing of funds by the former governor,” the source said.

The source noted that many of those who have sent petitions to the commission against the former governor, now senator, have already been invited to adopt their document.

He confirmed that very soon the commission would invite the former governor for questioning.

Allegations, complete falsehood

Mr. Akpabio could not be reached for this story. Messrs Umoren and Isobara could not also be reached for comments.

But the commissioner of information during the istration of Mr. Akpabio, Aniekan Umana, described the contents of the petition by Mr. Ekpenyong as falsehood taken too far.

He said the petition betrayed a lack of understanding of the workings of government.

“Every sum withdrawn from a government is tied to a subhead and there must be a budgetary provision. To attribute fraud to withdrawals which had the full sanction of Government and was accommodated in the budget is strange, mischievous and untenable. More so, when one understands that there are checks and balances which guide all aspects of government financial istration,” he said.

He also said the allegation that the State Government spent N50 billion on the March General Elections falls flat on its face based on his explanations of the workings of government as regards financial transactions.

“There was no such provision in the budget of this year and such an amount could not have been paid as an extra-budgetary expenditure and yet salaries and other commitments were met. We challenge the petitioners to provide proof to this wild allegation. Who was it paid to? How was it paid? Where was it paid? And when was it paid?

“Senator Akpabio does not own a 25-storey building in Victoria Island or in any part of the world, as alleged by the petitioner. It is also a patent falsehood that the house at 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi belongs to Senator Akpabio.

It is a rented building which ownership can be verified from Lagos State Lands Registry.

“Senator Akpabio does not own the properties mentioned in the petition to belong to him. You can the ownership of the properties (5 Okokosi Close, Maitama and Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama) from the land registry in Abuja,” he said.

He also denied the state received over N2 trillion as oil allocation.

“Please do note that the idea that the Akwa Ibom State Government received over N2.5 trillion in the eight years of the Akpabio istration is an outrageous lie. What this suggests is that the State Government received an average of N26 billion monthly for the period. What a lie! From published s of disbursement from the Federation s, Akwa Ibom State never received up to N26 billion in any month throughout the period.

Note that in some months like the April and May, 2015, Akwa Ibom State received about N8 billion.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/10/16/efcc-arrests-ex-governor-akpabio-over-alleged-multi-billion-naira-fraud

Nice one

HaaaaaaaaAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

HaaaaaaaaAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Witch Hunt gaskiya!

eya

seenn

it is funny though
APC and PDP
two different parties with different strategies and the same polithiefcians
we knew

both of them working for one purpose LOOTING

whether PDP or APC is ruling doesn't matter

what matters to them is MONEY

Ghen ghennnn nnn

Watching in 3D

Selective anti corruptn campaign.Nigerians aren't fools.

Where are the wailers?

K

The drum that beats like a bomb must be enjoyed with caution.

And Amaechi is walking the streets, even seeking to be minister!

I swear to God, Thunder will strike anybody that shouts anti corruption to my ears.
If Amaechi is not corrupt, then no Nigeria is.

Infact Abacha is a saint!

Ameachi the saint escorted EFCC to arrest Akpabio the criminal. This is how to fight corruption.

Wailers will soon come here and tell us how APC is using EFCC to witch hunt pdp .

How about Fashola? When are they arresting him?

Nigeria!!! A petition was written against an ex-PDP governor and the efcc arrests him for interrogation. A petition was also written against an ex-APC governor but he wasn't invited nor arrested by the efcc,but is being nominated for ministerial position. Same issues but diverse scales for judgement. Buhari is truly a man of integrity. Buhari,I hail thee!!!

I pray may politics and blindness not finish some of the so called Nigerian youths. The dude above me might be possibly jobless, but he is there suppoting a man who has mortgaged his life. If you like call it selective, if you like call it witchhunt, all I care about is it is no longer bussiness as usual. With people like this dude, Nigeria wil be on same spot. If u like call it watever you like, the truth is, it must start from some where. Did akpabio looted akwa-ibom? Is there a case against him? Is he spotless? Give him a fair hearing, if found guilty,charge him to court.

I Hope he is tried and jailed. I saw the retirement package he gave himself after leaving office. mehnn.. this guy na confirmed crook o.

Dasini:
I pray may politics and blindness not finish some of the so called Nigerian youths. The dude above me might be possibly jobless, but he is there suppoting a man who has mortgaged his life. If you like call it selective, if you like call it witchhunt, all I care about is it is no longer bussiness as usual. With people like this dude, Nigeria wil be on same spot. If u like call it watever you like, the truth is, it must start from some where. Did akpabio looted akwa-ibom? Is there a case against him? Is he spotless? Give him a fair hearing, if found guilty,charge him to court.

No body should take side yet. At least they said all the allegedly owned properties does not belong to him so let wait and see the outcome, one thing we fail to understand is that as much as we know that those guys aren't nice at all in office, some of this allegations are propaganda that will not see the light of the day

UmuEri:
And Amaechi is walking the streets, even seeking to be minister!

I swear to God, Thunder will strike anybody that shouts anti corruption to my ears.
If Amaechi is not corrupt, then no Nigeria is.

Infact Abacha is a saint!

Sorry stop wailing, it's not good for your health.. if Ameachi is corrupt leave the job for EFCC ok.

PointB:
How about Fashola? When are they arresting him?

You have nay evidence against him?

chronique:
Nigeria!!! A petition was written against an ex-PDP governor and the efcc arrests him for interrogation. A petition was also written against an ex-APC governor but he wasn't invited nor arrested by the efcc,but is being nominated for ministerial position. Same issues but diverse scales for judgement. Buhari is truly a man of integrity. Buhari,I hail thee!!!

Why are you like this? what petition was written to the EFCC against any APC ministerial nominees?

Watching from a 3D, this story out to make front page but the does not deem it fit to post it on fron page but unfortunately an completed version posted 7:26pm made it to front page. It time we invite the EFCC against the s

UmuEri:
And Amaechi is walking the streets, even seeking to be minister!

I swear to God, Thunder will strike anybody that shouts anti corruption to my ears.
If Amaechi is not corrupt, then no Nigeria is.

Infact Abacha is a saint!

Ameachi is not free. Thats what is delaying his confirmation. I trust Wike to follow up on it


What we need is a petitioner with facts and EFCC will pick the person and i am sure PMB will not interfere . So my dear if you get facts bring am let the party starts.

Tinubu, Atiku even Fashola

Nonsense people

Pls remind me what party Amaechi belongs to.

bashydemy:
Why are you like this? what petition was written to the EFCC against any APC ministerial nominees?

chronique:
Pls remind me what party Amaechi belongs to.

Go ask the Senatro representing your Constituency and stop asking me foolish question... PMB brother inlaw was jailed..

Telling me that I'm asking you a foolish question,shows you got a brain filled with maggots. The worst part is that,you aren't half as intelligent as the smallest maggot destroying your brain. Next time you come across my handle/moniker on NL,furck off as far as you can;don't ever in your pathetic and nauseating life,ever quote me again.

bashydemy:
Go ask the Senatro representing your Constituency and stop asking me foolish question... PMB brother inlaw was jailed..

chronique:
Telling me that I'm asking you a foolish question,shows you got a brain filled with maggots. The worst part is that,you aren't half as intelligent as the smallest maggot destroying your brain. Next time you come across my handle/moniker on NL,furck off as far as you can;don't ever in your pathetic and nauseating life,ever quote me again.

You are the most stewpid living being if ever see, I ask you simple question.... According to the news, Petition was written to EFCC concerning Akpabio and that was why he was pick up for investigation.... I ask you where is the proof of petition write to EFCC concerning Ameachi looting and you keep ranting without proof.. Just proof you are the robot you use to be..

It's easy to tell you're a brain dead slowpoke and your situation,is beyond remedy. If you had a brain that functions,you'd have done the search yourself instead of showing the world how daft you are. If you can't find the info you need yourself,then go furck yourself. Telling me that I'm asking you a foolish question when I never insulted you,shows you were raised in the gutter,and lack manners. Go find your gutter mates to trade words with;I'm done with you.

bashydemy:
You are the most stewpid living being if ever see, I ask you simple question.... According to the news, Petition was written to EFCC concerning Akpabio and that was why he was pick up for investigation.... I ask you where is the proof of petition write to EFCC concerning Ameachi looting and you keep ranting without proof.. Just proof you are the robot you use to be..

Bad News

chronique:
It's easy to tell you're a brain dead slowpoke and your situation,is beyond remedy. If you had a brain that functions,you'd have done the search yourself instead of showing the world how daft you are. If you can't find the info you need yourself,then go furck yourself. Telling me that I'm asking you a foolish question when I never insulted you,shows you were raised in the gutter,and lack manners. Go find your gutter mates to trade words with;I'm done with you.

Still you are foolish boy/man... all i ask for was a proof of petition that has been submitted to the EFCC so far against Ameachi... Asking me to search myself was the most nonsense thing for you to say.... You need to have proof before accusing someone... I never accuse person until i have proof Ok.. You and your wike that is accusing Ameachi are FOOOL with capital letter... spare me all this trash and provide proof or remain silent ok.. Ewu