Group to EFCC, ICPC: Probe Akpabio for corruption

A civil society organisation, Network Against Corruption and Human Trafficking, on Tuesday, asked the anti-corruption agencies to commence investigation of a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over alleged corruption during his tenure as governor.

The organisation alleged that the fortunes of Akwa-Ibom people were allegedly mortgaged for personal aggrandisement under Akpabio and so the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission should step in and probe the former governor.

The Executive Director of Investigation in the organisation, Samson Tega, and Operational Manager, Stanley Ugabe, told journalists in Abuja that Akpabio, who is seeking to be Senate President, was not fit to hold the position.

But when contacted, Akpabio’s Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, described the allegation as a witch-hunt meant to scuttle his principal’s Senate Presidency ambition.

Udom said, “Investigation is not conviction. Every public officer could be investigated after leaving office and that is the right thing to do. Senator Akpabio left office years ago after a meritorious service to Akwa Ibom State and his legacies and performance as the state governor from 2007-2015, are still visible in all nooks and crannies of the state.

“The question then is, why this letter to the EFCC now? Why all these blackmail and lies now? The answer is not far-fetched. Akpabio wants to be Senate President, he remains the candidate to beat and it is perceived that he must be brought down at all costs by those who can’t match his acceptance by his colleagues.

“His colleagues in the Stability Group are working round the clock to make him the President of the 10th Senate, through the support of their colleagues across party lines. Their major concern is to give stability to the President-elect’s administration when it comes on stream on May 29.”