The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has distanced the state government from the ₦700 billion fraud allegations levelled against his immediate predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“I do not know where they are getting these figures from because they are certainly not from Akwa Ibom State; they are not from us – we do not have such figures,” Eno stated during a town hall meeting in the Abak area of the state on Saturday.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor condemned what he described as the continued vilification of past governors of the oil-rich South-South state since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

Eno said, “I find it troubling how we treat our leaders after they have dedicated themselves to serving the state. It can be highly discouraging.

“This has been a recurring pattern, starting with Obong Victor Attah. Even the distinguished Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was vilified and taken to the EFCC. Now, the same is being done to Governor Udom Emmanuel.”

The governor warned that the trend of subjecting former leaders to corruption probes, despite their service to the people, could discourage those currently in office from giving their best.

“I am already expecting that it will happen to me. However, this trend only serves to discourage leadership. It dissuades one from giving their best and making sacrifices because, in the end, the people do not express gratitude,” he added.

“When a leader has served his state meritoriously, as Governor Udom Emmanuel did, he should be honoured and respected.

“There is no justification for this ongoing vilification. It is unfair, unfounded, and should be dismissed outright,” he concluded.

On Tuesday, 4th March 2025, operatives of the EFCC detained Emmanuel over allegations of ₦700 billion fraud. This followed a petition accusing the former governor of money laundering and fund diversion during his tenure from May 2015 to May 2023.

The petitioner claimed that Emmanuel received ₦3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left behind a debt profile of ₦500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth ₦300 billion. Additionally, he was alleged to be unable to account for ₦700 billion.