CSO calls for probe into Akpabio’s allegations, not Emefiele’s charges

The Accountability Initiative (AI), a Nigerian civil society group, has fired back at Senator Godswill Akpabio’s accusations against former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, highlighting Akpabio’s own ongoing corruption investigations and demanding he face charges instead.

Akpabio recently claimed the current administration is struggling to find charges against Emefiele for his time at the helm of the Central Bank. However, the AI views this statement as a classic case of “pot calling the kettle black,” considering Akpabio’s own legal troubles.

In a statement signed by its convener, Mallam Abubakar Yusuf the CSO detailed Akpabio’s alleged involvement in a N40 billion fraud at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his time as minister. Additionally, they mentioned ongoing investigations into N86 billion contract scams involving Akpabio and a former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) official.

Furthermore, they cited Akpabio’s past arrest for allegedly stealing N108.1 billion from Akwa Ibom state funds, highlighting his failure to appear for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on health grounds.

“It’s shocking and at same time funny that Akpabio who has cases before the anti graft would have the audacity to turn around and blame others for the nation’s misfortune which he is an architect of,” stated AI convener Mallam Yusuf.

“We just want to let Nigerians know that as recent as April last year, it was widely reported in the media that the EFCC invited Akpabio, for interrogation over an investigation concerning corruption allegations against him. There were allegations of a N40 billion fraud perpetrated in the Niger Delta Development Commission, a parastatal under the ministry superintended by Akpabio for three years.

“Also, there were allegations of over N86 billion contract scams involving him and a former Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, which the EFCC had been investigating. The anti-graft agency had in the past arrested Akpabio over the alleged theft of N108.1 billion of Akwa Ibom funds.

“The EFCC had earlier invited Akpabio to appear for questioning on March 29, 2023 but his lawyer, Umeh Kalu, SAN, in a letter to the anti-graft agency alleged that his client was suffering from pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia. With the above, any discerning mind would know that Akpabio deserves to be charged of fraud and other crimes not Emefiele.”

The AI also emphasised the need for accountability, urging authorities to prioritise charging Akpabio with fraud and other crimes instead of allowing him to occupy the Senate Presidency while under investigation.