The arrest and detention of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked tension among top political figures in the state.
While the director-general of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore, said there was no cause for alarm over the matter, some key government officials, who served under him, have gone underground for fear of arrest.
Latimore asserted that the arrest does not in any way diminish his enviable reputation, stressing that under the legal principle of presumption of innocence, Okowa might be interrogated and released without criminal prosecution or until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
He said the EFCC usually invite suspects based on criminal allegations, which may be true or false, and the law recognises the innocence of all accused persons until proven otherwise.
The bureau chief further stated that in the instant case, Okowa, made himself available to the EFCC, and did not abscond.
He appealed to the people of Delta State to keep their fingers crossed, pray for Senator Okowa, adding that he may be innocent at the end of EFCC investigation.
“There is no cause for alarm. It’s an established procedure in criminal matters to have a suspect arrested based on allegations in form of a petition to the commission.
“Arrest is not a proof of guilt, and not a judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. The allegations shall be tested in Court or Courts as the need arises. It’s important for us to keep our fingers crossed.”
Recalled that Latimore was Okowa’s executive assistant on Communications from 2017 to May 29, 2023.
Meanwhile, those that went underground were said to be connected to the petitions by vociferous elder statesman and leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, accusing Okowa of alleged misappropriation of over N1 trillion.
The respected PANDEF leader said the law establishing the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) noted that 50 per cent of the 13 per cent should be given to the DESOPADEC.
Clark stated that “DESOPADEC is an interventionist agency established to manage a 13 per cent oil derivation fund to drive infrastructural development of the oil-producing communities in the State.
“Instead of paying 50 per cent (of the N1.760 trillion) to the DESOPADEC as provided by the law, which is automatic, he (Okowa) held the 13 per cent fund- the entire money, dishing out instalment and approving every contract the DESOPADEC had awarded”, the PANDEF leader alleged
He also alleged that the former governor used funds belonging to the state for his vice presidential political campaign.
