The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest and detention of the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
A credible source within the anti-graft agency confirmed that the vice presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections was arrested in Port Harcourt when he reported at the Rivers State Directorate of the EFCC.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okowa was arrested for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion being proceeds of a 13 per cent derivation fund that accrued to the state during his tenure.
He was alleged to have diverted the funds from the federation account between 2015 and 2023 when he held sway in the oil-rich state.
Officials of the commission, who did not want their names in print, said that Okowa had earlier been invited by a team of crack detectives of the agency handling his case.
One of the sources said that he was arrested and would have to provide satisfactory answers to the questions posed to him regarding financial impropriety under his watch.
The former governor was also alleged to have failed to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.
Specifically, Okowa allegedly bought shares valued at N40 billion in one of the major banks in the country, representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG.
When contacted, Dele Oyewale, the spokesman of the anti-graft agency, confirmed Okowa’s presence in the facility of the commission but he declined further comments.
Earlier this year, Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State asked President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the EFCC to summon Okowa to account for 13% of oil derivation funds for eight years amounting to N1.3 trillion.
The group urged the anti-graft agency to act swiftly in the interest of the downtrodden people of the Niger Delta.
They made the appeal in a joint statement signed by Chief Mulade B. Sheriff Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, Sir Mathew Itsekure for Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, Hon Mark Ikpuri, Urhobo Ethnic Nationality, Chief John Etenero Isoko Ethnic Nationality, Comrade Osita Ijeoma Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality, Chief Godwin Ogbetuo, Vice Chairman, Delta State Elders Forum and Prince Maikpobi Okareme Poineer National Secretary TROMPCON.
Sheriff, however, alleged that the anti-graft agency had been reluctant to invite the former governor to give an account of the funds.
