By Abiola Olawale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the agency is continuing its investigation into allegations of diversion of N1.3 trillion and related issues during the administration of the immediate-past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
This time, the anti-graft agency confirmed that it arrested the Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs. Joy Enwa, to help throw light into the allegations of financial misappropriation and ongoing investigation.
It was gathered that the arrest was part of a broader probe into the management of funds, specifically the 13% derivation funds allocated to oil-producing states from 2015 to 2023.
It would be recalled that the immediate past governor of the State, Okowa, who was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, was recently quizzed in connection with ongoing probe into allegations of fraud and diversion of 13% derivation funds.
Elderstatesman and nationalist, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark had said that he petitioned the EFCC, demanding that Okowa be made to account for alleged misappropriation of state funds including 13% derivation funds meant specifically for oil-producing communities of Delta State.
There were also allegations of inappropriate investment of whopping about N40bn of Delta State funds in a private venture known as UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas, owned by one Julius Roni, without corresponding concurrence from Delta stakeholders and appropriate due process.
Chief E.K. Clark, a second Republic Senator, Former Information minister during the regime of Gen Yakubu Gowon and leader of Pan Niger Delta group known as PANDEF has been up in arms against what he called alleged irregularities and misappropriation of Delta state funds.
But Okowa’s spokespersons have consistently maintained that there was no ethical breaches in the management of Delta state resources during his time as governor of Delta state. They insist that the accusations against Okowa are politically motivated.
Recall that Okowa had been arrested in November 2024 and grilled at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt division over his knowledge of the allegations.
He was later released by the anti-graft after questioning.
However, while providing further updates, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, who spoke with the press on Wednesday evening, confirmed the arrest and detention of Mrs Enwa , Delta State Accountant General over the ongoing investigation of Okowa.
Oyewale also confirmed that some other government officials in Delta State have been arrested and grilled over the allegations.
He stated: “Yes, the accountant general was arrested and detained by the commission for some days before she was released. We also arrested some officials of the state government but they have been released as well.”
