₦airaland Forum

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun a fresh probe of a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, over allegations that he gave a gift of N1.4bn to a bank for unknown reasons.

The EFCC, it was learnt, had written to the bank to explain why the governor allegedly gave it such a gift.

N108bn fraud: EFCC to seize Akpabio’s properties

However, it was learnt that the Akwa Ibom State Government had dragged the commission before the court, challenging its right to investigate state affairs.

A detective at the commission said, “Among several allegations that are already in the public domain, the commission has made some progress in investigating the circumstances in which Apkabio, in 2013, paid N566, 883,728.66; N441,808,081.90; and N392, 631,943.37 as gifts to a new generation bank.”

It was learnt that the state government had ignored seven requests from the EFCC, asking for the release of officials of the government for interrogation as part of the ongoing investigation into the activities of Akpabio, who is now the Senate Minority Leader.

The source added, “On March 7, 2017, the commission wrote to the Secretary to the State Government, asking for the release of Mr. Effiong Efiakedoho, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Special Duties, to appear before the EFCC on March 13.

“He was summoned specifically in respect of matters relating to a hotel, Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Raffia City Plaza, A 342 Highway. There was no response.

“On May 8, 2017, a letter, requesting the Accountant General of the state to appear at the EFCC on May 18, was also ignored.

“The Accountant General was specifically summoned in respect of an aspect of the investigation relating to a company, Sindeng Nigeria Limited.

“The Commissioner for Works was also invited through a letter of May 19, 2017 and asked to report to the commission’s zonal office in Port Harcourt with respect to a road construction contract awarded to Nigturks Civil Technologies Limited. He too failed to honour the invitation.

“A May 26, 2017 letter to the Secretary to the State Government to release the Accountant General of the state for interrogation on June 5, on the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, was also ignored.”

It was learnt that the EFCC, in two separate letters dated June 7, 2017, invited all the aforementioned persons but they failed to show up.

The source told our correspondent that instead of releasing its officials, the Akwa Ibom State Government, through a letter, referenced HAG/MISC/VOL.XV1/164, dated June 28, 2017 and signed by the Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, stated that it was challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate states.

Nwoko, therefore, asked the commission to wait till all legal hurdles were crossed before taking action.

A detective said if the matter was allowed to drag, it could affect the case.

Alleged N108bn fraud: EFCC seizes Akpabio’s wife’s school

It was learnt that banks had also failed to provide documents to the EFCC on transactions linked to Akpabio, who has been accused of N108bn fraud during his tenure between 2007 and 2015.

When contacted, Akpabio’s media aide, Mr. Anietie Ekong, said his boss would not want to take issue with anybody since the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State had clarified the issue.

“We are aware of the issue because someone else called earlier to confirm the allegation. The Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State has responded to the matter and we are not ready to take issue with anybody,” he said.

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Lalasticlala

Corruption defends her people. The people defend the corrupt, the masses adore the corrupt and then someone tells me that corruption is not the Holy Grail.

Tinubu is not investigated, because we love corruption, Amaechi is not investigated because corruption is a selective name given to perceived enemies of State. Kwankwanso is not support because he is from the Norttt, Sanusi is Holy because his father was an old Emir, and he himself has inherited the throne in a very holy way.

You can be Holy, until you go against the Government of APC.

Billyonaire:
Corruption defends her people. The people defend the corrupt, the masses adore the corrupt and then someone tells me that corruption is not the Holy Grail.

Tinubu is not investigated, because we love corruption, Amaechi is not investigated because corruption is selective name given to perceived enemies of State.

You can be Holy, until you go against the Government of APC.

Nice one billion.

Been long I read sensible comments like this on this forum.

Monikers like sarrki, omenkalives and madridguy have reduced this forum to a kids hangout.

Glad to know the cool headed old hands are still very much around

Hmmmm

Billyonaire:
Corruption defends her people. The people defend the corrupt, the masses adore the corrupt and then someone tells me that corruption is not the Holy Grail.

Tinubu is not investigated, because we love corruption, Amaechi is not investigated because corruption is a selective name given to perceived enemies of State. Kwankwanso is not support because he is from the Norttt, Sanusi is Holy because his father was an old Emir, and he himself has inherited the throne in a very holy way.

You can be Holy, until you go against the Government of APC.

Na so o.. disappointed!!

NtoAkwaIbom:
Hmmmm

Akpabio na Ino!!

A waste of time and news for the gleefully gloating apc gnats.
The noise must stop...even the deaf knows that not even alison will be tried....all na pretense.

Fix the economy and focus on infrastructures please enough of this drama

uyplus:
Akpabio na Ino!!

Ofuri mmo(politicians) EDI Ino.
ubak ema eyip... edia ikpong
ubak eyak mbon eken edia.
Akpabio ama yak mbon eken edia... EDI Buhari ye ubon esie edia ikpong

hmmm