The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, for questioning in connection with a probe into corruption allegations against him.
This comes amid rumours that Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, endorsed him for the position of the 10th Senate President.
According to Punch, there had been allegations of a N40 billion fraud perpetrated in the Niger Delta Development Commission, under Akpabio’s leadership.
In 2022, the National Assembly decided to look into the NDDC’s Interim Management Committee’s alleged N40 billion in financial recklessness.
Also, there were allegations of over N86 billion contract scams involving the senator-elect and a former Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, which the EFCC had been investigating.
The platform also claimed that Akpabio had previously been detained by the anti-graft agency for allegedly stealing N108.1 billion from the Akwa Ibom funds.
The EFCC had earlier invited Akpabio to appear for questioning on March 29, but in a letter to the anti-graft agency, his lawyer Umeh Kalu (SAN) claimed that his client was ill with pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia.
Kalu claimed Akpabio wouldn’t be able to accept the invitation on March 29 due to alleged illness while pleading with the EFCC to reschedule the questioning to a different date.
He further stated that the Senator-elect had already arranged medical appointments overseas.
Kalu said, “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.
“It is in the light of the above that we respectfully request that our client’s appointment with you be rescheduled to a date convenient to your officers, preferably after the forthcoming Easter and Ramadan holidays.”
EFCC in a new letter dated April 13, 2023, which was received by Akpabio’s lawyers, Seasons Law Firm asked Akpabio to come to its headquarters in Abuja on May 9, 2023.
The letter titled, ‘Investigation Activities Re: Senator Godswill Akpabio’s Appointment Letter Of Invitation’ was signed by ACE II SM Ala, Head, CMU-1.
It reads, “I refer to your letter number dated March 27, 2023, on the above subject. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to inform your client Senator Godswill Akpabio to personally report for an interview with the undersigned through the Head, CMU-1 team on May 9, 2023, at the 5th Floor, EFCC Headquarters Plot 301/302 Institutions and Research District. Jabi, Abuja at 10:00 am.”
Ada Peter
