There seem to be no love between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Akwa Ibom state government over the investigation of former Governor Godswill Akpabio’s N108.1bn Fraud.
According to the EFCC, it has sent letters to the Secretary to the state Government inviting its officials to assist in the investigation seven times, however, the Akwa Ibom State Government has blocked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating former Governor Godswill Akpabio.
The EFCC said it has invited the commissioner for works and Accountant General amongst many others but its efforts to interrogate them had been stalled by the government.
“We have made seven requests for the release of some officials, but none was honoured.” The anti-graft agency said.
The Minority Leader of the Senate is under probe for alleged diversion of public funds and corrupt practices reported to the EFCC through several petitions by Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer.
He is expected to be quizzed on how N108.1 billion state funds were allegedly diverted.
Akpabio was also alleged to have in 2013 paid N566,883,728.66, N441,808,081.90 and N392, 631,943.37 as gifts to a new generation bank.
The investigation is being handled by the Counter-Terrorism and General Investigation Section of the anti-graft agency.
Ekpenyong claimed that Akpabio allegedly devised a means of enriching himself at the expense of the state.
The allegations against Akpabio border on the award of bogus contracts to cronies who used the proceeds to buy several properties in Lagos and Abuja.
The allegations include the alleged withdrawal of N18 billion fraudulently from the state’s Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in tranches of N10 million and above in a surreptitious manner to conceal their dishonest intention; spending of over N50 billion state funds by the former governor during the last general elections; and alleged withdrawal of N18 billion from the state’s coffers under the guise of special services, reception of very important guests and sundry items.
The ex-governor is also under probe for allegedly acquiring some assets through surrogates, including a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 5, Ikogosi Spring Close, off Katsina-Ala Crescent, Maitama-Abuja; a multi-billion naira mansion at Plot 28 Colorado Close, Maitama, Abuja; 22 Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; Plot 23 Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview, Lagos and a multi-billion naira 25-storey building at Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.