ABUJA, Nigeria – In a renewed wave of financial scrutiny, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has once again invited Godswill Akpabio, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to answer to allegations of office abuse and misappropriation of billions of Naira.
Akpabio, a Senator-elect and one of the contenders for Senate Presidency, was initially set to appear before the EFCC on March 29. However, his attorney, Umeh Kalu (SAN), in a letter addressed to the EFCC, stated that Akpabio was suffering from pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia, rendering him unable to honour the summons.
“As mentioned in our last letter to you dated February 10, 2023, our client is undergoing treatment for pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia, and, has recently been advised to seek further attention abroad,” wrote Kalu, asking for a rescheduling of the questioning to a date after the Easter and Ramadan holidays.
Despite these health concerns, the EFCC has issued a fresh invitation, obtained by journalists on Friday, April 28, 2023, urging Akpabio to report to its headquarters in Abuja on May 9, 2023.
The letter was received by Akpabio’s lawyers at Seasons Law Firm on April 14, 2023, and was signed by ACE II SM Ala, Head, CMU-1.
Simultaneously, Akpabio is vying for the Senate Presidency. He and fellow contender Jibrin Barau, recently visited President-elect Bola Tinubu at his Abuja residence. Reports suggest Akpabio may have the edge in securing the party’s support for the role.
This isn’t Akpabio’s first run-in with the EFCC. In 2021, the then senator-elect was detained after attempting to bribe Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman of the EFCC, with $350,000.
The bribe attempt was reportedly linked to numerous corruption allegations against Akpabio dating back to his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Additionally, Akpabio has faced allegations of a N40 billion fraud during his time at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, which he headed for three years, as well as a N86 billion contract scam involving him and the former Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.
These renewed investigations into Akpabio’s financial conduct underscore the EFCC’s commitment to holding public officials accountable and come at a crucial time when Akpabio is seeking higher political office.
Whether these allegations will affect his bid for the Senate Presidency remains to be seen.
