Akwa Ibom Governor Suspends Aide Over Fraud Allegations

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has approved the immediate suspension of Mr. Emmanuel Nicholas, one of his political aide over alleged involvement in financial misappropriation.

Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, announced the suspension on Friday, saying that the governor’s aide will remain suspended until investigations are completed by security agencies and he is cleared of the allegations.

The statement reads, “I am directed to announce the immediate suspension of Mr. Emmanuel Nicholas from his duties as a Special Assistant to the Governor. This is as a result of allegations of fraudulent activities leveled against him.

“Mr. Nicholas will remain suspended until investigations are completed by security agencies and he is cleared of the allegations.

“The Akwa Ibom State Government, led by Mr. Udom Emmanuel, will continue to uphold transparency, Intergrity and accountability as its core values”, Ekuwem said.

It would be recalled that in 2018, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Nicholas, had alleged that a former governor of the state and minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, embezzled Uyo-Ikot Ekpene dualization contract funds to the tune of N40 billion.

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BIGPEN, however, learned that Nicholas was arrested for alledged fraudulent activities including collection of money from a contractor.