I am not an ex convict - AKICORP boss

The chairman of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP has described as mischievous and blatant  lies newspaper reports in the state that said that he is an ex convict and that he has been declared a  wanted man by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI in the United States of America. Dr. Elijah Akpan stated this in Uyo while appearing as a guest on the television service Akwa Ibom state Broadcasting Corporation , AKBC- TV programme, ‘Democracy 45’

Akpan who described the publication as a fabrication against him by mischief makers said it is a calculated attempt to malign his reputation, integrity and excellent records of service he has gained over the years both in Nigeria and in the United States.
He wondered how a person that is allegedly wanted by the FBI will actually travel to the US and spend the Christmas vacation with his family.
Apart from the holiday with his family he said he actually preached in his church congregation there before returning home facilitate the signing of a peace treaty and memoranda of understanding between AKIPCORP and the peoples of Aka Offot and Itiam Ikot Ebia  in Uyo local government area, Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan and Nung Oku in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area who are the host communities to the Industrial Estate, Banking Layout and  Champion Breweries.
He made it categorically clear that he has never been detained anywhere throughout his life or convicted of any crime before maintaining that the allegations are not only false and baseless but unfounded with no iota of truth.
  The AKICORP chairman who said he was surprised by such lies and fabrications advised those behind the unfortunate and dangerous publication to refrain from it and join hand with the state governor to move the state to the next level.
On the allegation that the state governor is planning to use him to siphon money through a multi billion naira housing scheme he said the allegation was not also true as there was no such arrangement pointing out that AKICORP and the state ministry of housing runs on separate budgetary provisions and as such they have separate briefs.
He assured the people of the state that these frivolous allegations  political jobbers and hatchet writers will not distract him from helping the state governor to deliver on his vision of industrialising the state with a view to creating jobs and employment opportunities, wealth creation which is aimed at eradicating poverty and ultimately ensure prosperity for the entire Akwa Ibom people.