Senator Godswill Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom state, has denied reports on Friday, October 16, that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The former governor, who is also the Senate minority leader, explained on Friday night why he was questioned for several hours by the anti-crime commission, Premium Times reports.
Senator Akpabio admitted that he was summoned by the anti-graft body to respond to several allegations of corruption against him stressing that he was not arrested but only honoured the commission’s invitation on his own free will.
He said: “A young lawyer from my state has been petitioning the EFCC accusing me of corruption,” the former governor said. “So shortly before I got involved in an accident in August, the EFCC summoned me to come and respond to the allegations.
“But following the accident, I wasn’t well enough to honour the EFCC summon. And I let them know.
“So today, since I’m now well, and the Senate did not sit, I decided to honour the EFCC so as to answer questions concerning the allegations against me.
“I wasn’t arrested. I walked in there myself and now I’m back at home. The EFCC operatives were professional. They asked questions, and I answered.”
A petition was forwarded to the ant-graft commission and President Muhammadu Buhari in June by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong, over an alleged theft of N108.1 billion of Akwa Ibom funds when the senator was governor.
As a result of the petition, the crimes commission had investigated the matter.
Akpabio firmly rejected Ekpenyong’s allegation, saying that those making the allegations do not understand how government works.
He disclosed that Ekpenyong submitted at least four different petitions and that it would take a while for him to respond to each of the allegations.
The senator said: “So I will return to the EFCC again as necessary.
“I am a law-abiding citizen, and whenever I’m summoned to answer questions about how I served my people, I will always respond.
“I urge everyone who has served in public office not to be afraid to explain what they did and how they served.”
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom government has sent a strong warning to corrupt politicians and looters of African resources that the UK will no longer be safe havens for them.
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