Assembly Probes Alleged N491m Fraud Against Akwa Ibom Council Chair

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly will continue the ongoing investigation of financial fraud of N491 million levelled against the Ikono local government area chairperson, Hon. Otobong Essien.

In an impeachment letter to the Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs chaired by Elder Mfon Idung (Etim Ekpo), the aggrieved councillors pointed out that the alleged misconduct was a clear violation of the Local Government Administration Law, 2017.

Consequently, the committee, LEADERSHIP gathered, had last week summoned the chairperson including the head of the Local Government Service, Mr Victor John, and other concerned parties for an interface on the matter at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo.

The petition signed by 10 out of the 12 councillors, our correspondent recalled, was submitted to the Assembly on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, for legislative scrutiny.

Speaking during the session, the committee chairman, Hon. Idung, explained that “the Committee’s mandate is not to witch-hunt any individual, but to objectively examine the petition in strict compliance with the provisions of the State Local Government Administration Law, 2017.”

According to the petition, the council chairperson Lady Essien, was accused of “failing to submit monthly income and expenditure reports to the Council’s Legislature, as required by law, abuse of office, reckless spending, misappropriation of funds outside the 2025 budgetary provisions.”

The petitioners maintained that “such actions constitute gross misconduct, and are impeachable offences under the law.”

During preliminary investigations, the Head of Local Government Service (HOLGS), Mr. Victor I. John, the Director of Finance, Mr. James Umoh, and the Director of Works, Mr. Arit Ubong Usoro, testified to the allegations bothering on alleged non-presentation of financial reports to the legislature and other financial discrepancies.

The breakdown of the disputed cash expenditures by Lady Essien, included; N40 million on solar lights, CCTV and ICT projects without budgetary approval, N10 million donation to Elegant Football Academy, N10 million spent on republishing the chairman’s office, purchase of a non-functional transformer valued at N11 million, and an alleged N440 million expenditure on an administrative block without payment vouchers or ministerial approval.

However, In her defence, Lady Essien, an engineer, explained that most of the projects were executed through direct labour with the approval of the Finance and General Purpose Committee (FGPC), adding that her actions were guided by the Head of Local Government Service.

Those present at the meeting were the Chief Whip and member representing Mbo State Constituency, Hon. Effiong Johnson; Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo, member representing Ikono State Constituency and Hon. Moses Essien, member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency.

Others lawmakers at the session included Hon. Eric Akpan, Hon Jerry Otu, Hon. Itoro Etim and Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey.

Also in attendance were the Committee Clerk, Uduak Ebong Okon; the Parliamentary Counsel; Barr. Victor Idiong, Councillors of Ikono LGA, the Council Secretary, Mr. Bassey Umoh; the vice chairman, Hon. John Bassey, and other directors.

The meeting, according to a source close to the Assembly, continues this week after being declared inconclusive with others yet to testify.

“The Committee will undertake an oversight tour to Ikono LGA this week on a fact- finding mission to ascertain the facts or otherwise of allegations,” the source disclosed.