Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

Emmanuel, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was taken into custody on Tuesday after honoring an invitation from the anti-graft agency at its Abuja headquarters around 12:30 p.m.

According to sources, the arrest followed a petition from the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), which accused the former governor of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and financial misappropriation. The petition alleges that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account during his eight-year tenure but left behind a N500 billion debt profile and unpaid projects worth N300 billion—while failing to account for N700 billion.

Further investigations reportedly uncovered a staggering N31 billion cash withdrawal from a single account under the name "Office of the Governor" between 2019 and 2023, raising serious concerns about financial transparency during Emmanuel’s administration.

As of the time of filing this report, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Emmanuel’s arrest and ongoing investigations.

The development has sparked widespread reactions, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough probe into the former governor’s financial dealings.