By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), EFCC Headquarters is to commence probe of alleged N700bn corruption, funds diversion and money laundering against former Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa-Ibom State.
A group, The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) had on Tuesday, sent a petition to EFCC in which it highlighted 100 points that detailed the alleged corruption activities of Gov Udom during his eight-year tenure as governor. T
The petition which has been acknowledged by EFCC and obtained by Daily Review Online, was entitled: “Detailed petition on the former Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, family members and state government officials on the monumental corruption, funds diversion of N700 billion, money laundering and looting orchestrated by him and cronies, and award of contracts to companies with vested interest through which funds are siphoned from the state’s coffers leading to conflict of interest as serving public officers.”
It read in part: ” As a leading anti-corruption group in Nigeria, we will be falling 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 EFCC has not invited him for questioning and prosecution.
“The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) has decided to officially send a petition to you and will be ready to stand as witness in due course if called upon
“Mr Chairman, despite the over N3 trillion that came into the Akwa Ihom State cuffers under the B years tenure of Udom, a staggering sum of N700 billion cannot 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.
“Section 172 of the constitution enjoins all persons in the public service to conform to the Code of Conduct. The Fifth Schedule (Part 1) (section 1) of the Constitution says that “A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.”