By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced investigation into the alleged diversion of N500million appropriated funds at Esit Eket Local Government Council in Akwa Ibom State during the tenure of Mr. Ibanga Etang.

This followed a petition to the anti-graft agency by political stakeholders and civil society groups in the council area.

It was gathered that Etang, chaired the Council between 2011 and 2015.

The petitioners drawn from different wards in Esit Eket, included Al Mustapher Emem Edoho, politician and human rights activist; Elder Emmanuel Okpodighe, Youth Leader of Idung Udo Nsak community; Prince Uwem Edukere, youth activist; Prince Ubong Umanah, among others.

They accused the former Council chairman of squandering funds running into over N500million meant for the development of the Council during his administration.

In a letter entitled: ‘Request for statement of affairs and income and expenditure of Esit Eket Council’s finances between June 2011 and 2015’, the petitioners alleged the ex-Chairman diverted allocations and internally generated revenues of the Council during his three years stint.

The letter read, “That you also fraudulently converted tenement rate payment to Esit Eket Local Government Councils from oil companies including Frontier Oil, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Oil Serve Limited, among others”

The petitioners also alleged in their grounds of relief that allocations accrued to Esit Eket during the tenure of Etang, ran in excess of N3billion.

“The total wage bill for Esit Eket throughout the period at the rate of N20million per months amounted to about N720million,” they alleged, adding that “the former Chairman’s failure to account for the balance necessitated the ongoing legal action against the leadership of the Council.”

The ICPC Zonal Commissioner, Mr. Henry Emore, admitted the matter was before the Commission but declined to reveal details in order not to jeopardize investigation.

Emore said, “We cannot disclose our investigation.”

However, efforts to reach the former Chairman Etang was not possible at the time of filing this report as he neither picked calls nor responded to a text message to him through his mobile phone.