EFCC apprehends ex-Delta governor, Okowa, over alleged derivation funds theft

The former governor of Delta state, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa was taken into custody by the agents of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion in derivation funds.

According to the report, the N1.3 trillion represented a 13 percent derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

Sources in the commission disclosed that Mr. Okowa was at the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when commission investigators detained him.

A source stated that: “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following the invitation of the investigators probing the allegations against him.

“He was then arrested”, he added.

Another source added: “He was also accused of failing to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

“He also allegedly bought shares of N40 billion in one of the major banks in the country, representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG.

“The funds were alleged to be used for other purposes.

“Investigators are also investigating the diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta State.

“He is being held at the EFCC holding facility in Port Harcourt”, he added.

The EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale confirmed his arrest when reached but declined to comment further according to report.

About Ex-Governor Okowa

Mr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, a politician from Nigeria, became the governor of Delta State since 2015.

According to source, Okowa’s path to leadership started with a solid educational foundation.

He was born on July 8, 1959, in Owa-Alero, Ika North East local government area of Delta State.

He completed his secondary school at Ika Grammar School in Boji-Boji, Owa, in 1976.

The former senator attended Owa-Alero Primary School from 1965 to 1971.

In 1981, Okowa earned a degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Ibadan, where he had previously studied.

Okowa was a physician and hospital administrator before entering politics.

From 1982 to 1985, he worked as a medical officer at Bendel State Hospital in Warri.

Between 1985 and 1992, he was the principal medical officer at Delta State Hospital in Abraka.

From 1992 to 1993, Okowa also served as the chair of the Delta State Hospitals Management Board.

Okowa’s 1993–1997 term as Delta state’s commissioner for agriculture and natural resources signaled his political debut.

He subsequently held the positions of secretary to the Delta state government from 2001 to 2005 and commissioner for health from 1999 to 2001.

From 2005 to 2007, Okowa oversaw the Delta State Economic Council as well.

Okowa was elected senator in 2007 and served as the representative for Delta North senatorial district till 2015.

His desire to become governor was made possible by his leadership abilities and dedication to public service.

Okowa won the 2015 Delta state governorship on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

Okowa reportedly carried out a number of programs and projects as governor with the goal of changing Delta state.

Infrastructure development, healthcare reforms, education reforms, economic empowerment initiatives, and environmental conservation are among his areas of projects’ execution.

Okowa has received many honors and recognition for his accomplishments.

He has been honored with an honorary doctorate from Delta State University, the governor of the year award from African Leadership Magazine, and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) merit award.

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