EFCC Arrests Okowa Over Alleged N1.3trn Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the immediate-past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.

Okowa was said to have been detained by operatives of the anti-graft agency in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, for alleged diversion of part of N1.3 trillion and 13 per cent derivation fund allocated to the state between 2015 and 2023.

Sources at the commission claimed that the former governor was being investigated for alleged diversion of funds to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta state.

Spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Okowa’s arrest to journalists on Monday night.

Okowa was arrested after honouring an invitation extended to him by operatives handling his case in Port Harcourt zonal office of the commission.

The EFCC is investigating alleged diversion of N40 billion to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas

The former governor was alleged to have bought N40 billion worth of shares in one of the major banks in the country representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Okowa was the running mate to the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general election.