Akpabio: EFCC unravels N1.4 bn gift to bank
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made inroads into an investigation of alleged N1.4bn gift to a new generation bank by former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio.
A top EFCCC source told Daily Trust yesterday that the commission has made some progress in investigating the circumstance in which Apkabio in 2013 paid N566, 883, 728.66, N441, 808,081.90 and N392, 631,943.37, including the N1, 401, 323,752 gift to a new generation bank.
Although, details of the reason for the payments were not disclosed, it was stated that EFCC investigation into several allegations of corruption against Akpabio was being resisted by current state officials.
It was gathered that on March 7, 2017, the commission had written to the Secretary to the State Government asking for the release of Effiong Efiakedoho, permanent secretary, ministry of housing and special duties, to appear before the EFCC on March 13.
He was invited specifically in respect of matters related to Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Raffia City Plaza, A 342 Highway and there was no response.
A May 8, 2017 letter inviting the Accountant General of the state to the EFCC on May 18 was also ignored, the source added.
The Accountant General was invited in respect of an investigation relating to a company, Sindeng Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC also invited the state works commissioner asking his to report to the commission’s office in Port Harcourt in respect to a road construction contract awarded to Nigturks Civil Technologies Limited. He too failed to honour the invitation.
A letter to the SSG seeking to release the Accountant General of the state for interrogation June 5, over the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, was also ignored.
The Commission said in two separate letters on June 7, 2017 re-invited the SSG and Efakedoho, PS Housing and Special Duties; and the Accountant General for interrogation June 19. For the second time, the three state functionaries failed to honour the invitation.
It was learnt that instead of releasing its officials to be interviewed by the commission, the Akwa Ibom State Government, through a letter referenced: HAG/MISC/VOL.XV1/164, dated June 28, 2017 and signed by Uwemedimo Nwoko, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, reminded the commission of the pendency of a suit (No. FHC/UY/ CS/20/2017) before the Federal High Court, Uyo where it is challenging the power of the commission to investigate activities of the state.
The source said apart from the “legal sandbags”, intimidation was also being employed to frustrate the investigation as even officials of the state who were willing to testify against the former governor are said to have chickened out.”
“Even one of those who allegedly wrote a petition against the former governor was quoted by a source to have said he was going to withdraw the petition,” the EFCC source added.