The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has again
invited the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, for
interrogation over an investigation concerning corruption allegations against
him,
This is coming on the backdrop of a recent report that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu had concluded plans to support
Akpabio’s Senate presidency bid.
Meanwhile, there had been allegations of an N40 billion
fraud perpetrated in the Niger Delta Development Commission, which was headed
by Akpabio for three years.
In 2020, the Senate and the House of Representatives
resolved to probe the alleged N40 billion financial recklessness of the Interim
Management Committee of the NDDC.
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.
Recall that 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 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.
Kalu, while pleading with the EFCC to reschedule the
questioning to a new date, had said Akpabio would be unable to honour the
invitation on March 29 due to alleged ill health, adding that the Senator-elect
had already arranged medical appointments overseas.
He, therefore, 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,” the letter from Kalu dated March 27, 2023, reads.
The latest invite was revealed in a letter obtained by an
online newspaper, SaharaReporters, which was sighted by our correspondent on
Friday.
According to the letter dated April 13, 2023, which was received
by Akpabio’s lawyers, Seasons Law Firm, the following day, the EFCC 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
5th Floor, EFCC Headquarters Plot 301/302 Institutions and Research District.
Jabi, Abuja at 10:00 am.”
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