A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpanke, is facing fresh scrutiny after an Abuja-based travel agency petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged unpaid travel debt of N19.15 million.
The petition, submitted by the solicitors to Havilah Global Travels Limited, accused the lawmaker representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency of failing to settle outstanding payments for international and domestic flight tickets despite repeated demands.
According to the petition, Akpanke engaged the travel agency on January 16, 2026, to procure three Business Class airline tickets to Rome for himself and two associates. The agency claimed it financed the bookings on his instruction, with the initial cost standing at N24.48 million.
The solicitor further alleged that while the delegation was in Rome, the lawmaker requested the reissuance of tickets for two companions at an additional cost of N5.79 million. A subsequent request to reissue another ticket for a different passenger reportedly added N1.52 million to the travel bill.
The agency maintained that the total value of the international travel arrangements subsequently rose to about N31 million, following the additional requests.
Havilah Global Travels acknowledged receiving part payments from the federal lawmaker, stating that N10 million was paid before the trip, while another N4 million was remitted after the delegation returned from Italy, bringing the total payment to N14 million.
The petitioner claimed the outstanding balance on the international tickets stood at N17.79 million, adding that the agency later purchased a domestic airline ticket worth N1.36 million, which also remains unpaid.
Based on the two outstanding obligations, the travel firm put Akpanke’s total indebtedness at N19,154,468 and urged the ICPC to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
The solicitors stated that several attempts to recover the money through demands and engagements failed, prompting the decision to seek the intervention of the anti-corruption agency.
Reacting to the allegations, Akpanke rejected claims that he owes N19.15 million, insisting that although he has an outstanding balance with the company, the amount being circulated is exaggerated and inaccurate.
The lawmaker questioned why details of the petition surfaced in the media while the matter was already before the ICPC, describing the development as politically motivated and suggesting there was an attempt to tarnish his public image.
Akpanke argued that commercial credit transactions are common in business relationships, maintaining that purchasing airline tickets on credit is not unlawful. He added that he had maintained a longstanding business relationship with Havilah Global Travels, which had previously handled ticket purchases worth over N100 million on his behalf.
He further disclosed that he had continued making payments and could provide evidence of recent transactions. While reaffirming his readiness to fulfil any legitimate financial obligation, the lawmaker insisted the debt had been overstated and urged the public to allow the ICPC to determine the facts without prejudice.