Okowa spends second night in EFCC custody

The former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, is still being held at the Port Harcourt, Rivers State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This makes it his second night in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

This is as the Delta State chapter of All Progressives Congress backed the detention of the former governor, describing it as a positive step in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption.

Okowa, who was the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, reported at the EFCC office, following an invitation by investigators over the alleged diversion of N1.3trn.

He was subsequently arrested and detained.

Sources said the former governor was also accused of failing to give accounts of another N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

One of the sources said, “He was also accused of failing to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

“He also allegedly bought shares of N40bn in one of the major banks in the country, representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG. The funds were alleged to be used for other purposes.

“Investigators are also investigating the diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta State.”

However, a source familiar with the matter told our correspondent on Tuesday that the former governor was yet to be released because of the quantum of the allegations against him.

The source added that Okowa was earlier in the day confronted with the allegations.

“We are still keeping him, he is still with us. The investigation is ongoing and earlier, he was confronted with some of the allegations against him.

“We are still keeping him because of the quantum of the allegations and amount involved. We want him to respond to the allegations,” the source said.

The Delta APC State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, in a statement on Tuesday, urged the EFCC to continue its investigation into the financial dealings of other former governors and public officials.

The statement partly read: “We in the APC wholeheartedly welcome the arrest of the former governor, who oversaw one of the most concerning cases of financial mismanagement during his eight-year tenure.

“His administration allegedly funnelled significant state resources into personal ventures, including establishing a bank, financing a failed presidential ambition, and supporting the controversial imposition of a successor.

“The arrest serves as a caution to all public officeholders, affirming that the era of impunity is over and that no one, irrespective of position or political affiliation, is above the law.”

It added that “The legacy of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration is a high debt profile resulting from a reckless borrowing spree, which earned him the notorious nickname of ‘Borrow Borrow Governor’.

”During his eight years in office, Delta State has little to show for the vast federal allocations received. The few substandard roads he constructed often hailed as the ‘roadmaster,’ have deteriorated rapidly.”