Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are intensifying their investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion of Delta State funds under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The former governor, who was also the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, was arrested in November by the EFCC at its Port Harcourt office.
According to the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Okowa is accused of using his position as governor to siphon funds meant for development in the oil-rich state.
Among the assets allegedly acquired using the diverted funds are significant shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other investments in the oil and gas sector.
As part of the ongoing probe, the EFCC recently arrested the current Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs. Joy Enwa, for questioning.
Enwa was appointed to the position in April 2020 by Okowa, replacing Cyril Agbele.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Mrs. Enwa’s detention follows the earlier arrest of other key Delta State officials, including Ekeruche, a former Director of Finance and Administration, and a Government House administrator.
These individuals were reportedly interrogated extensively and have since been released.
The probe has reignited attention on a 2015 case involving Mrs. Enwa and other state officials accused of defrauding the Delta State government of N369 million shortly before the tenure of former
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan ended. At the time, Enwa, then Deputy Accountant General, was implicated alongside Agbele and an FCMB branch manager.
Although those allegations were debunked by Agbele, Enwa’s current involvement in another financial scandal raises questions about accountability in the state’s financial management.
The investigation into the alleged diversion of 13 percent derivation funds highlights the systemic corruption that continues to plague Nigeria’s oil-rich states.
The National Bureau of Statistics has previously reported discrepancies in the allocation and utilization of these funds, which are meant to drive development in resource-producing areas.
As the EFCC intensifies its investigation, citizens and stakeholders are watching closely, demanding accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.