CHARTERED CROOK: HOW AKWA IBOM STATE ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL UWEM ESSIEN BUILT A SCHOOL USING HIS WIFE AS PROXY AGAINST PUBLIC SERVICE RULES

Secret Reporters

Currently facing a public backlash over allegations of misappropriation, inflated figures, and dubious items seen in its official budget, the Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State has maintained his lead on the corruption table in the state with more revelation on his financial dealing with public funds unearthed.

Credible sources within the inner circles of the embattled Accountant-General squealed to SecretReporters that despite holding a public office, Mr. Uwem Essien allegedly is the money bag behind the operation of a private school in the outskirts of Uyo managed by his wife, whose phone number clearly appears on the school billboard. An act that violates the provisions of the law which allows public office holders to only engage in farming without participation in the management or running of any private business or trade.

The school, Multiple Grace International Schools located at Ediene Ikot Obio Imo, Off Idoro Road, Uyo which offers admission into Creche, Pre-school, Nursery, Primary, and a current plan to expand to a Secondary School we learned, boasts of a functional library, a well-equipped sick-bay with a Registered Nurse, and bus services for its pupils who contribute to the millions racked in by the school every academic year with a large chunk arguably from public funds and the rest via its online payment platform powered by Fluterwave.

Arguably one of the conduits used to divert taxpayer’s money, Public advocates who spoke to this medium has termed the operation of such private facility by the AG unconstitutional and an act of misconduct under the Public Service Rules. Many Akwaibomites have also been clamoring for a proper investigation and prosecution of the Onna-born chartered crook if found guilty following series of allegations against him recently.

Attempts to reach the Accountant-General Uwem Essien for his reaction to the allegation proved abortive as his line was not reachable, he also did not reply to the text message sent to him as at Press time.