Money Laundering: Nigerian Customs Service Declares 5 Akwa Ibom Officials Wanted

Five officials of the Akwa Ibom State Government have been declared wanted and placed on the watch-list of the Nigerian Customs Service.

A circular to all Customs Area Controllers dated September 18, a copy of which is in possession of THE WHISTLER said the Comptroller-General had received intelligence and a request for the placing of the affected persons on watchlist and possible arrest wherever they are sighted.

The officials listed are Messrs.: Linus Nsikan Nkan, Ministry of Finance; Jacobson Udomah Nfon, Office of the Accountant General; Edet Asuquo Jacob, Ministry of Justice and Mrs. Margaret Thompson Ukpe, also of the office of the state accountant general.

The circular, which emanated from the Information, Investigation and Inspectorate Unit of the Service, is titled: ‘RE: REQUEST FOR WATCH LISTING OF PERSONS. CASE OF CONSPIRACY, CRIMINAL BREACH OF TRUST, MONEY LAUNDERING AND MIS APPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS.’

The circular further states: ‘Also attached are their respective photographs for identification.

You are further requested to contact office of the DCG E, I&I HQ in the event of their arrest.

This is for your information and immediate compliance.

Treat with utmost secrecy, please.’

It is unclear whether the intelligence came from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or not, as this is not stated in the circular.

But a similar intelligence on the out-going Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, was sent to the Customs Service which promptly put the governor on watch-list.