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Civil Society Organisations in conjunction with Network Against Corruption And Trafficking has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate Senator Godswill Akpabio over allegations of financial misconduct.
The group held a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja where they called for an investigation into Senator Godswill Akpabio’s alleged financial misconduct.
the Executive Director of Legal at NACAT, Mr. Justice Ojefia, referred to an audit report of Akwa Ibom State treasury between 2011 and 2015, accusing Senator Godswill Akpabio of financial misconduct amounting to N1 trillion naira during his tenure 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.
