The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been requested by civil society organizations and Network Against Corruption and Trafficking to look into claims of financial impropriety against Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The group demanded a probe into Senator Godswill Akpabio’s alleged financial impropriety during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Using an audit report of the Akwa Ibom State Treasury between 2011 and 2015, Mr. Justice Ojefia, the Executive Director of Legal at NACAT, accused Senator Godswill Akpabio of financial wrongdoing totaling N1 trillion during his time as governor.
Ojeifa stated that the financial misconduct included circumventing procurement processes, suspicious payments, possible money laundering, and awarding contracts to non-existent shell companies.
“These financial manipulations have cost the good people of Akwa-Ibom State, money amounting to over N700 billion, under the watch of Akpabio.
“To make Akpabio a Senate President is a reward for monumental corruption orchestrated in Akwa Ibom and Ministry of Niger Delta and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“Akpabio as governor looted over N1 trillion of Akwa Ibom State treasury and over N200 billion NDDC funds as a minister.
“How will Akpabio be allowed to preside over the same Senate when he accused the entire Senators as being behind the corruption in NDDC during the NDDC probe?
He said that giving Akpabio Senate President mandate is to whittle down the fight against corruption.
“He will enact laws that will weaken the EFCC and ICPC since he has cases with them,’’ Ojefia said.
The Chief Press Secretary to Akpabio, Mr. Jackson Udom, denied the allegations and described them as blackmail. Udom also stated that every public officer could be investigated after leaving office. “Investigation is no conviction. Every public officer could be investigated after leaving office and that is the right thing to do.
“Sen. Akpabio left office eight years ago after a meritorious service to Akwa Ibom and his legacies and performance as the state governor from 2007-2015, are still visible in the state.
Mr. Jackson Udom responded to the allegations against Akpabio, stating that the accusations were unfounded and motivated by a desire to bring Akpabio down.
He suggested that Akpabio’s colleagues in the Stability Group were working to make him Senate President of the 10th Senate, with the aim of providing stability to the President-elect’s administration when it comes into power on May 29, 2023.
