Ex-Akwa Ibom governor is accused by EFCC of protecting corrupt politicians.

The Udom Emmanuel administration has acquired a court order prohibiting the EFCC from looking into the State Government's financial records.

But on Thursday, the commission's Head of Legal and Prosecution Services, Uyo Zonal Command, Tekan Ndifon, lamented the state government's action, adding that such was not only "anti-people and unpatriotic" but also harmful to the progress and development of the state. He was speaking on the sidelines of a media workshop for journalists with the theme, "Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes."

He claimed that if the money had been found, it would have been remitted to the state governments' coffers for community development.

"The government that just ended went to court and got an injunction that says we don't have the authority to look into the state monies. The case is currently in court. We made an effort to address the situation as best we could. We attempted to determine how they could begin their case, but they were dragging their feet. 

"They presented various witnesses who underwent cross-examination. They brought two witnesses back after attempting to wrap up their argument. 

"After we thought they were going to end their case, they brought in additional witnesses only to prolong it because they think that while the matter is in court, we are unable to pursue further investigation into them. 

"Their actions were taken in an effort to protect those responsible for the theft of Akwa Ibom state cash. 

"This money is not ours. It is state money for Akwa Ibom. Whatever happens, we won't give the money back to the federal government; instead, we'll give it to the state of Akwa Ibom so it can be used for the people, but they've stopped us now. Added Ndifon 

Ndifon added that the EFCC would make sure that all obstacles to looking into the state's finances were removed while stressing that the organization would not rest on its laurels in its fight against corrupt politicians in the state.

Prior to this, Assistant Commander Hamidu Saidu of the EFCC's Uyo Zonal Command lamented the state's increasing incidences of real estate and online crime, which he observed had grown alarming. 

He asserted that the best way to stop the problem in its tracks is for all Nigerians to unite in the battle against financial and economic crime. 

"The increasing number of lawsuits involving real estate and the internet is concerning. In Nigeria, a significant amount of money is laundered through the real estate industry, he claimed.