In Nigeria, former minister accuses Governor Eno of influencing EFCC investigation
In Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory John Akpanudoedehe said that Governor Umo Eno allegedly instigated an investigation by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel. State authorities rejected the claims, calling them false, irresponsible and unsupported by any evidence.
As Premium Times Nigeria reports, Akpanudoedehe, the African Democratic Congress candidate for state governor, claims that Eno asked the EFCC to seize Emmanuel’s house in Lagos. He also said that the commission is pursuing former commissioners who served in Emmanuel’s administration.
State authorities’ position
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah said that Umo Eno had never submitted complaints to the EFCC against either Emmanuel or anyone else. According to him, the governor is ready for this claim to be challenged or disproved.
The state government also said that Eno maintains respect for his predecessors, supports political reconciliation and continues projects initiated by previous administrations. As confirmation of this position, the authorities cited the retention in office of officials who worked under Emmanuel.
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EFCC investigation
The dispute arose amid an EFCC investigation into Udom Emmanuel. In March 2025, the former governor was arrested and detained after arriving in response to an invitation from the anti-corruption agency. The investigation concerned allegations of money laundering, unlawful diversion of funds and the alleged theft of 700 billion naira.
Sources close to Emmanuel told the publication that pressure on him intensified after security details were withdrawn from his residences. Premium Times Nigeria previously reported that police, allegedly on Eno’s instructions, withdrew personnel from Emmanuel’s residences in Akwa Ibom. The publication noted that it was unable to independently verify claims about Eno’s influence on the EFCC case, as well as possible actions by the commission regarding Emmanuel’s property and officials from his administration.
Emmanuel’s media aide, Stephen Abia, said that he could neither confirm nor deny the allegations. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale did not respond to journalists’ inquiries regarding possible appeals by Governor Eno to the commission and actions concerning the former governor’s property at the time of publication.
