A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from Cross River North Senatorial District has petitioned Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, a member of Nigeria's Senate representing Cross River North, and House of Representatives member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Akpanke for allegedly inflating constituency project budgets by N21.36 billion in the 2024 and 2025 national appropriation acts, GRASSROOT REPORTERS reports.
The petition, written on their behalf by Abuja-based law firm Bernard E. Afu & Associates, accuses the two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers of “budget padding, abuse of office, and financial crimes.”
According to the document, Senator Jarigbe, allegedly allocated N12.11 billion to constituency projects in the 2025 budget and N2.15 billion in 2024—exceeding the approved N2 billion ceiling for senators.
Similarly, Hon. Akpanke, purportedly padded his projects with N2.45 billion (2025) and N4.65 billion (2024), far above the N1 billion limit for House members.
The APC stakeholders described the allocations as “fraudulently padded for private use,” attaching detailed budget analyses as evidence.
They urged the EFCC to immediately halt funding for the projects through the Federal Ministry of Finance and other agencies, pending investigation and prosecution.
“These acts constitute corruption and a blatant abuse of public office,” the petition stated, demanding that the EFCC “serve as a deterrent by prosecuting the offenders.”
Neither Senator Jarigbe nor Hon. Akpanke has publicly responded to the allegations.
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