It is no longer news that
Godswill Akpabio will be defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to
the All Progressives Congress (APC). What has remained unclear, however, is why
the former governor of Akwa Ibom state is leaving the PDP – a party he held
sway as one of its key figures: a former governor and a senate minority leader.
The opposition party has alleged
that the APC used the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to cow
him into joining them. There have also been arguments about politicians being
“converted to saints” the moment they join the ruling party.
But the federal government has
come out to deny the claim. Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said the APC
will not provide cover for anyone involved in any crime.
Beyond the minister’s denial,
however, why is Akpabio’s case generating ripples? What crimes is he accused of
and why are their concerns he will be “born again” the moment he joins the APC?
AKPABIO’S RUNNING BATTLE WITH THE EFCC
The senator’s battle with the
anti-graft agency began on October 16, 2015 when he was first invited for
questioning over an alleged N108 billion fraud.
The invitation followed a
petition written to the commission by Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer and activist.
Ekpeyong accused the former governor of “devising a means of enriching himself
at the expense of the state” while in office.
He alleged that the looting was
done in connivance with two top government officials of the state –Etekamba
Umoren, former government house permanent secretary, and Udo Isobara, former
accountant-general of the state.
Key allegations Ekpenyong raised in the petition were:
- Fraudulent withdrawal of N18 billion from the state’s share of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation above in a surreptitious manner to conceal their dishonest intention.
- Spending of over N50 billion state funds by the former governor during the 2015 election
- Withdrawal of N18 billion from the state’s coffers “under the guise of special services, reception of very important guests and sundry items.”
- Illegal acquisition of luxury 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.
- N1.4 billion as gift to a bank in the sums of N566, 883,728.66; N441,808,081.90; and N392, 631,943.37.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO THE RESCUE?
The commission, at the time, said
its efforts to interrogate state officials fingered in the alleged fraud were
bring frustrated by the state government. Apart from the lack of response to
letters seeking information, the state government officials invited for
questioning were said to have refused cooperating with the commission.
For instance, it was reported
that the EFCC had on one occasion written to the secretary to the state
government, asking that some officials of the civil service be released for
questioning over the matter.
The state attorney-general, in
return, went to court seeking, among other things, the interpretation of the
powers of the EFCC regarding the probe “with a view to stalling investigation”.
AKPABIO, HOWEVER, DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS
The senator had accused
“disgruntled persons” of being behind his ordeal. According to him, the
petitions against him were politically motivated.
He had said: “I just want to urge
all my people in Akwa Ibom state who probably were disturbed to know that such
monies were not missing from the coffers of the state, that is the simple
truth. And if we had such additional sums as he (the petitioner) mentioned it,
we would have done more for the state.”
CASE CLOSED?
The senator was admitted on bail
during his fist time in EFCC custody in 2015 but returned barely 24 hours later
and the investigations continued. He was grilled for hours and subsequently
released while he insisted he had “nothing to hide.”
Since then, not much has been
heard regarding the investigation, except for unconfirmed reports such as the
seizure of a school said to be belonging to Unoma, the senator’s wife and
linked to the alleged fraud.
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman,
neither responded to calls or text message sent to him as at the time of filing
this report.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com