Fraudsters using my name for fake COVID-19 empowerment, says Akwa Ibom dep gov

The Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo, has denied involvement in any empowerment programme, saying fraudsters were using his name for fake COVID-19 palliative to defraud the public.

Ekpo said the fraudsters created a fake Facebook account in his name and requested people to send their account details to an alleged account officer to get N50,000 palliative each.

In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Ekikere Umoh, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Uyo, the deputy governor warned the fraudsters to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.

Umoh said that the deputy governor neither has a private nor an official Facebook account, and could not have originated the message.

He explained that the deputy governor has no idea of the identity of the alleged account officer, and does not have any account or financial transactions in any of the banks mentioned in the Facebook post.

He noted that the deputy governor would not publicise any of his contributions to the poor, adding that such messages circulating on the social media were false, criminal and malicious, and warned the public to be wary of them.

“His Excellency has not mandated anybody or an organisation to organise a COVID-19 pandemic palliative or any form of welfare based programme in respect of the pandemic, at any given time on his behalf,” the release said.