EFCC ‘investigates Akpabio over N108bn loot’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigations into the allegations that former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, now Senate Minority leader, Goodswill Akpabio looted N108 billion during his tenure between 2007 and 2015.

According to the Punch, the EFCC has written a letter to five banks asking for information about the finances of the oil rich Akwa Ibom state under the former Governor. The anti-graft agency will also invite members of the state House of Assembly and commissioners for questioning.

The former Governor was invited and questioned by the EFCC last year after a petition was allegedly written against him. The petition, written by an Abuja based lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong, had accused him of looting state funds while he served as governor.

A source, privy to the issue, told the Punch that “We have written to Zenith Bank, Keystone Bank, FCMB, Skye Bank, and UBA demanding information on the state’s accounts. We are also inviting the accountant-general, the auditor-general, the Speaker and the clerk of the House of Assembly. We have traced some houses to the former governor in Lagos and Abuja and it is just a matter of time before we seize them.”

Akpabio was accused of accused of doling out N1 million to each of the chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party from the South-South geopolitical zone during a reconcilliatory meeting at Port Harcourt in March 2013. He allegedly told them to use the money to “buy Mr Biggs.”

However, a court had on July 15 ordered that the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Inspector General of Police, should refrain from investigating the finance of Akwa Ibom state.

The order was vacated following a motion filed by the EFCC on Friday. The case was moved till October 19 for further hearing.

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