EFCC Confiscates Okowa’s Passport, Releases Him on Bail

Former Delta State Governor Okowa’s passport has been seized by the EFCC, with bail granted amid an ongoing probe into allegations. 

The former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has had his international passport confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

On November 4, 2024, Okowa was taken into custody by the anti-corruption agency due to allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion from a derivation fund.

The N1.3 trillion represented a 13 percent derivation fund from the federation account for the period between 2015 and 2023.

He was further accused of not providing accounts for the funds, in addition to another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

It is alleged that Okowa acquired N40bn worth of shares in a major bank in the country, representing an eight percent equity stake to establish the offshore LNG.

Sources within the commission reported that Okowa visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was subsequently taken into custody by officials.

According to a source familiar with the situation who is not authorized to speak with journalists, Okowa was released last week Wednesday after fulfilling his bail conditions.

According to the source, one of the conditions required him to hand over his travel documents to the agency until the matter is resolved.

Okowa is no longer in our custody. He was released last Wednesday after satisfying his bail conditions, which required him to submit his travel documents to the commission while we continue investigating the allegations against him.

“The amount in question is reportedly too large to risk. Our actions are justified, as they aim to prevent individuals under investigation from breaching the bail conditions granted,” he stated.

Multiple attempts to contact the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, by phone went unanswered.

As of the time this report was filed, he still had not responded to the message sent to him regarding the matter.

During his trial, Okowa dismissed the allegation that he misappropriated N1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds while in office as ridiculous and completely untrue.

During a solidarity visit on Tuesday, when the national leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union, headed by President General Chief Ese Owe, visited his residence in Asaba, Okowa expressed that he was not concerned about being summoned by the EFCC.

The former governor, speaking publicly on the issue for the first time since returning from responding to the EFCC invitation, expressed confidence that he would emerge unscathed.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifejika, the former governor revealed that the petitioners were motivated by ordinary political interests. However, he affirmed his continued support for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Delta.

It was a petition drafted several months ago, but unfortunately, due to the current political climate, some individuals sought to guarantee that Okowa would be summoned by the EFCC.

“People truly feel uneasy about Okowa, and I was personally invited to visit. When I arrived on my own, the first thing that caught my attention was an accusation claiming that I misappropriated N1.3 trillion. My response was to question if they understood the magnitude of such a sum.”

To successfully acquire N1.3 trillion, you would need to divert between N16 billion and N20 billion into your pocket every month. I’m not sure even the President of this country could manage that, let alone the governor of Delta State.

They have forgotten that during the first three years after we took office—2015, 2016, and 2017—the funds coming into the state were insufficient even to cover salaries.

Some local governments, such as Ethiope East, were behind on salary payments by up to 15 months. Additionally, within the state itself, some individuals received only half of their salaries.

READ ALSO: Okowa Speaks Out After EFCC Detention, Breaks Silence on Allegations

Delta State is the top salary-paying state in the nation, with salaries increasing to over N11 billion a month for both salaries and pensions.

“There are states with a total staff strength of fewer than 18,000, but here in Delta, we have more than 56,000 workers,” he stated.

The former governor stated, “Employees consistently received their salaries on time as we initiated and completed all the projects. However, nobody seems to acknowledge this effort, particularly the initiatives in the riverine regions. I understand that people are dissatisfied with those who drafted the petition.”

He expressed that he is personally not opposed to the investigation, acknowledging that it’s the EFCC’s responsibility to conduct such inquiries. He also stated his confidence in having done everything correctly.

For each allegation, they will conduct an investigation and cease once the truth is uncovered. However, it is unfortunate for those who sent incorrect information.

I simply pray for them because if you let yourself be used as a tool, the consequences can be severe when evil emerges. However, I hope that God will forgive them.

I believe that with God’s special grace, we have accomplished what we needed to do to the best of our abilities. By this same grace, Governor Oborevwori is starting to achieve a great deal.

I am confident that by next year, his contributions will significantly increase. Rest assured, I will keep supporting the UPU and the state governor to the best of my ability because I’m convinced he has much to offer this state.

He praised the UPU for its ongoing support, stating, “I am grateful to the UPU and the Urhobos. Their backing has been invaluable over the years, and their belief in fairness is evident as they consistently gave me more votes than their own candidates who ran against me.”

Previously, the President-General of UPU stated that their visit was to express gratitude to the former governor for supporting their son, Oborevwori, in becoming the state’s governor.