By Ovie Okpare
There are indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may arraign the now arrested immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday.
Sources familiar with the arrest of the former Delta governor told our correspondent that the anti-graft agency might press charges of corruption against Okowa tomorrow.
Okowa, who served as Delta governor from 2015 to 2023, was arrested by operatives of the commission in the Port Harcourt Zonal Office on Monday.
He was arrested for alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion of the 13% derivation funds meant for the development oil-bearing communities in the state.
EFCC spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of ex-governor Okowa to NIGER DELTA TODAY Online on Monday night.
“It’s true, he (Senator Ifeanyi Okowa) is with us”, Oyewale told our correspondent on Monday night.
It gathered that prior to Monday’s arrest of the former governor, Okowa has become a regular visitor to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Our sources said the former governor, who was also a former senator representing Delta North and running mate to PDP candidate in the 2023 presidential election, could spend more days in EFCC custody.
It was further learned that anti-graft agency had also invited and quizzed some senior officials of the Delta ministry of finance who served under Okowa and some leaders of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) over the alleged misappropriated funds.
Operatives were said to be beaming searchlight on Okowa’s daughter, Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, who currently represents Ika North East in Delta State House of Assembly over petitions against the former governor.
The development, according to sources, has sparked tension among top political figures in the Delta State Government House, Asaba.
