The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has revealed why former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has not been charged to court over alleged corruption and diversion of oil derivation funds .
The Commission had on November 4, 2024 arrested and quizzed Okowa regarding an alleged diversion of public funds during his tenure as Governor of oil – bearing Delta State.
The ex – Governor who was the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections and now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) since April 2025 is also one of the Coordinators of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope programme.
The ex – Governor is specifically under investigation by the EFCC for allegedly misappropriating N1.3 trillion oil derivation funds between 2015 and 2023 when he presided over the oil-rich state.
The anti – graft agency is also probing allegation that Okowa failed to properly account for an additional N40 billion purportedly used to acquire an eight per cent equity stake in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas as well as allegedly using state funds to purchase significant shares in one of the nation’s major banks as part of the LNG deal.
Mr Okowa has however said that he was not afraid of the EFCC probe, even as he denied the allegations, describing them as “malicious and politically-motivated.”
According to him, some individuals were attempting to distort facts to serve their interests.
But fielding questions while appearing on the Morning Show of the Arise TV on Monday, the EFCC’s Director of Information, Dr. Wilson Uwugiaren, explained that formal charge has not been filed against Okowa because the agency prefers to complete a comprehensive investigation before taking him to court with charges.
Uwugiaren said that the way criminal prosecution works in Nigeria takes time to gather evidences and witnesses, particularly in high-profile or politically sensitive cases, and sometimes requiring both writing some organisations – local and international – to help provide information on a suspect’s case and waiting for their responses.
According to him, until the ingredients to sustain allegations are ready, the agency will not file charges against suspect undergoing investigation.
He debunked the allegations by opposition politicians and parties in the country that the government of the ruling party was using the agency to intimidate and persecute them.
Uwugiaren explained that even some members of the APC were also currently facing investigation and prosecution, wondering why the opposition decided not to talking about it.
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