- EFCC noted that the stolen funds, if recovered, would have been returned to the coffers of the state governments
- EFCC will not rest in their efforts to investigate the state’s accounts and will work on removing any obstacles that may hinder the process
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the previous administration in Akwa Ibom State has been accused of protecting and covering up individuals involved in looting the state’s funds.
The current administration, led by Udom Emmanuel, had obtained a court order to prevent the EFCC from investigating the State Government’s accounts.
But speaking on the sidelines of a media workshop for journalists with the theme, “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes”, on Thursday, the commission’s Head of Legal and Prosecution Services, Uyo Zonal Command, Tekan Ndifon, lamented the action of the state government, adding that such was not only ‘anti-people and unpatriotic’ but also inimical to the progress and development of the state.
He said the stolen funds, if recovered, would have been returned to the coffers of the state governments for development that would have benefited the people.
“The immediate past administration went to court and obtained an injunction that we don’t have the powers to investigate the state funds. The matter is in court. We tried to see what we could do with the matter. We tried to see how they could open their case but they were dilly-dallying.
“They brought different witnesses who were cross-examined. After they tried to close their case they brought two witnesses again.
“After we thought they were going to close their case they brought in other witnesses just to stall the case because they believe that since the matter is in court we can not take further steps to investigate them.
“The reason for their action is to shield the people that stole Akwa Ibom state funds.
“It is not our money. it is Akwa Ibom state money. So whatever happens we are not going to return the money to the federal government but to Akwa Ibom state to be used for the people but now they are stopping it.” Ndifon said.
Emphasizing their commitment to tackling corruption among politicians in the state, Ndifon stated that the EFCC will not rest in their efforts to investigate the state’s accounts and will work on removing any obstacles that may hinder the process.