Delta State Oil Producing Communities have called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to expedite action on the petition seeking to prosecute the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, over alleged misappropriation of 13% derivation fund.
They said the fund amounting to N1.2 trillion was for the development of oil bearing communities in the state, but rather the money were diverted.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, an Ijaw Ethnic Nationality Representative, Chief Sheriff Mulade, lamented why the anti-craft agency was yet to take speedy action on the petition against former Governor Okowa.
The oil communities had petitioned the EFCC alleging that the former governor was unable to account for the 13% derivation fund amounting to N1.2 trillion for the development of the oil communities during his eight years reign.
The communities are therefore calling on the anti-graft agency to as a matter of urgency investigate the former governor.
They pleaded with the EFCC not to allow any form of distraction on the gracious issue, saying that their communities have been deprived of development.
Mulade, who briefed newsmen alongside representatives of other oil producing communities said, after the first letter, they have followed up with a reminder but the EFCC seems to be dragging their feet.
They also pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to prevail on EFCC to act swiftly.
He said, “We are worried about the slow pace which is giving an impression that indeed Senator lfeanyi Arthur Okowa and his cohorts are above the law and as such can neither be invited nor prosecuted.
“We are aware that within the arena of our laws, no one is above the law. We are therefore using this medium to draw the attention of the anti-graft agency to act swiftly in the interest of the downtrodden oil and gas producing communities in Delta State that are at the receiving end of negative environmental degradation as a result of oil exploration and exploitation activities which has destroyed our traditional occupation of fishing and crop farming with nothing tangible to show in our community.
“It is worthy of note that for the interest of justice and members of our oil and gas producing communities, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa should be invited to account for our monies as others like the ongoing investigation on the suspended Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. Indeed we trust in the ability of the anti-graft agency, the EFCC, to act, but the delay in taking action is very worrisome, creating the wrong impression, capable of giving more room for continuous diversion and misappropriation of the 13% oil derivation funds.”
