By Divine Sam
The former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure. He is being investigated for the misappropriation and embezzlement of billions of naira, including the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation funds from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.
Sources within the EFCC indicate that Okowa is facing interrogation over his handling of these funds, with specific allegations of failing to account for them. He is also accused of diverting approximately N40 billion meant for the purchase of shares in the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas project, as well as allegedly using state funds to acquire properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa, who served as governor from May 2015 to May 2023, was the vice-presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the EFCC has yet to release an official statement confirming his arrest.