Udom Emmanuel, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N700 billion fraud.

TheCable understands that the former governor was taken into custody shortly after he arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday around 12:30 pm.

Emmanuel was at the EFCC headquarters to honour an invitation over the allegation of money laundering, diversion of funds and stealing preferred against him by Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NCAT), a civil society organisation (CSO).

Sources within the EFCC said the petitioner alleged that the former governor received N3 trillion from the federation Account in eight years but left a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects.

He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700 billion.

There has been no official statement issued about the arrest by the anti-graft agency.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N507 billion for Section Two of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, covering 164 kilometres.

The Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Monday after the federal cabinet meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the approved fund was part of the sum of N733 billion okayed for road infrastructure projects across different regions of the country.

The minister said FEC also approved N24 billion for the construction of Abakpa Flyover in Enugu State, which borders the 82 Division Army Barracks, adding that the project was awarded to CCECC to ease traffic congestion in the area.

By Balarabe Idris

I woke up today to the shocking news of the passing of Dr. Musa Barau Gamji, a dear colleague, associate, and confidant. A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, ABU Zaria, he departed this world yesterday night during Asham prayer at Imam Malik Jumu’at Mosque, Damba Housing Estate, Gusau.

I’m still grappling with the news, having worked closely with him on the Voice and Accountability Platform, supported by the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (formerly DFID, now FCDO). His humility, kindness, objectivity, and in-depth knowledge of media and communication inspired me and many others.

Dr. Musa Barau Gamji had served as a resource person on numerous occasions for my live radio programs. Even while pursuing his PhD at Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus, and despite his tight schedule, he always made himself available for discussions and interviews whenever I reached out to him.

Just a few weeks ago, I invited him to participate in a discussion program on World Radio Day, but unfortunately, he was in Zaria at the time.

His remarkable achievements, including earning a PhD and becoming a Senior Lecturer at ABU Zaria’s Mass Communication Department, were a testament to his dedication and passion for excellence.

We’ll miss his gentle soul, wisdom, fairness, and commitment to seeing media personnel meet expectations.

I must confess that I had long considered Dr. Musa Barau Gamji the ideal media professional from Zamfara to collaborate with, knowing he would never disappoint.

May Allah grant him eternal peace, forgive his shortcomings, and admit him into Jannatil Firdaus. May we continue to draw inspiration from his life and legacy, amin.