Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past governor of Delta State, has been reportedly arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The arrest is linked to allegations of misappropriation and embezzlement of billions of naira belonging to Delta State during his tenure as governor from May 2015 to May 2019 [no official confirmation from EFCC].
Okowa, a trained medical doctor and former senator representing Delta North from 2011 to 2019, also served as Secretary to the Delta State Government. His vice presidential candidacy for the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections adds significance to this development.
The EFCC has been actively investigating financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria, with a recent report highlighting 3,175 convictions and recovery of N156 billion in one year ¹. However, the commission is yet to officially confirm Okowa’s arrest.
As the investigation unfolds, details of the allegations and evidence against Okowa will become clearer. The EFCC’s actions demonstrate their commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in Nigeria’s governance.
