By Uche Amunike
Former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has just been arrested and detained by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Monday, over alleged misappropriation and embezzlement of billions of Naira belonging to the state during his eight year administration as governor.
He was detained after he reported to the Office of the Directorate of the EFCC on the invitation of investigators that were in charge of his case.
According to reports by The Guardian, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest of the former governor, but however, refused to make any further comments on the matter. Note that Okowa was arrested for alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion diversion funds from the federation account between 2015 and 2023. He never accounted for the funds and another N40 billion which he claimed was used to acquire shares in the UTM Floating Liquiefied Natural Gas.
He allegedly bought shares to the tune of N40 billion from one of the major banks in Nigeria, representing 80% equity to float the offshore LNG. The funds were however, allegedly used for other purposes.
Investigations into the diversion of funds by Okowa to acquire estates in Abuja and the Delta State Capital, Asaba is currently ongoing, according to the reports by The Guardian.
Recall that Ifeanyi Okowa was the running mate to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 General Election.
The Guardian also reports that two political associates of the detained former governor have currently corroborated the news of his detention, but however, pleaded anonymity. They are concerned about the implications of the allegations for Okowa’s legacy and also for the political landscape in Delta state which has historically been defined by Oil wells and governance challenges that comes with it.
Okowa played a significant role in the development initiatives spread across Delta State which was seen focusing on infrastructure and social programs during his time as Governor from May 2015 to May 2021. His administration was, however, laced with controversy, even as critics had previously raised concerns about the financial accountability and the management of resources of Delta State.
Recall that the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT), submitted substantiated petitions against some government officials, including Delta State.
The Executive Director of (NACAT), Tega Oghenedoro, made this disclosure about a petition they submitted for over three months, calling the EFCC to spread their investigation net to include over N3 trillion allocation to Delta State under Ifeanyi Okowa.
Oghenedoro, stated in the petition that NACAT was also demanding that the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission (ICPC) should look into a staggering N600m that was borrowed by the past administration, but could not be accounted for, thereby living a debt profile of N480 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth about N150 billion.
Ifeanyi Okowa is a member of the PDP who was preceded by Emmanuel Uduaghan and succeeded by Sheriff Oborevwori. He is a medical doctor and married with two children.
