Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has dismissed reports claiming he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Emmanuel clarified that he had only responded to a routine invitation from the anti-corruption agency, not an arrest.
The clarification comes after reports surfaced stating that Emmanuel was taken into EFCC custody on Tuesday, where he was allegedly questioned over accusations of mismanaging N700 billion during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
It was reported that he was questioned at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja before returning home the following day.
However, in a statement issued by his media aide, Stephen Abia, Emmanuel stated that his visit to the EFCC should not be seen as unusual or alarming.
Abia described the meeting as a “routine affair” and emphasized that the former governor attended the agency’s invitation in good faith.
Abia explained, “Udom Emmanuel honoured the invitation by the EFCC. This he did, seamlessly in his undaunted spirit of patriotism and sense of responsibility. It is worth emphasizing here that this invitation has been extended to thousands of Nigerians, both the rich and the not-so-rich, political and corporate titans.”
He further addressed the misinterpretation of the situation, saying, “An invitation, therefore, is not a conviction. But a section of the media, egged on by Mr. Emmanuel’s traducers and political adversaries, has made the invitation seem like he was convicted. Dispassionate minds need to note the elementary distinctions between an invitation and honouring same, and an arrest which demands some legal mechanics.”
