The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has vowed to continue its probe into the N491 million fraud allegation levelled against the Chairperson of Ikono Local Government Area, Otobong Essien.
The probe follows an impeachment petition submitted by aggrieved councillors of the council to the state House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by Mfon Idung.
The councillors alleged that the chairperson’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and violated the provisions of the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Administration Law, 2017.
The petition, endorsed by 10 out of the 12 councillors, was laid before the House on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, for legislative consideration.
In the petition, the councillors accused Essien of failing to present statutory monthly income and expenditure reports to the legislature, abuse of office, reckless spending, and misappropriation of funds outside the approved 2025 budget.
Consequently, the House of Assembly committee last week summoned the council chairperson, the Head of Local Government Service, Mr. Victor John, and other relevant officials to an investigative session held at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo.
Addressing the meeting, the committee Chairman, Idung stated that the investigation was not targeted at witch-hunting any individual, but is aimed at objectively examining the petition in strict adherence to the law.
During preliminary hearings, three witnesses gave testimonies alleging the non-submission of financial reports by the local government chairman, as alleged by the councillors, and they further alluded to other financial discrepancies within the council.
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In her defence, Essien maintained that most of the projects executed with the alleged funds were executed through direct labour with the approval of the finance and general purpose committee.
She added that her actions were guided by directives from the head of the local government service.
However, a source close to the assembly disclosed that the meeting was inconclusive and would continue this week, as some witnesses are yet to testify.
The committee is also expected to conduct an oversight visit to Ikono Local Government Area as part of its fact-finding mission to verify the allegations.
