N1.3trn Alleged Fraud: I’m Not Afraid of EFCC Probe – Says Okowa, Former Delta Governor

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BY BONNY AMADI

Nigeria’s oil rich Delta State, former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has debunked all insinuations that fear of the country’’s anti-graft agency, has rattled him, to the point of now, seeking refuge in the country’s ruling party.

He said he has said he is not afraid of his ongoing probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding an alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion during his tenure.

Mr Okowa stated this during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday. Defending his tenure as governor of the oil rich Delta state, Okowa said that he performed very well while in office for eight years.

“I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC. So, there are no fears concerning that at all,” he said.

The EFCC is probing Mr Okowa, who was also the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, for allegedly misappropriating N1.3 trillion between 2015 and 2023 when he presided over the oil-rich state.

He is also accused of failing to properly account for an additional N40 billion purportedly used to acquire an eight per cent equity stake in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

The former governor was reported to have allegedly used state funds to purchase significant shares in one of the country’s major banks as part of the LNG deal.

The EFCC arrested him on 4 November 2024, but he was later released after submitting his international passport.

Mr Okowa has since denied the allegations, describing it as “malicious and politically-motivated.” He said some individuals were attempting to distort facts to serve their interests.

Meanwhile, last Wednesday, Mr Okowa, alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commissioners, local government chairpersons and PDP leaders in the state defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political analysts suggested that the defection may be part of a deal with the ruling party to stop the former governor’s probe by the EFCC.

Following the former governor’s defection to the APC, it is however uncertain what the next action of the anti-graft agency will be.