Former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, remains in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, marking his second night detained by the anti-corruption agency. Okowa, who served as the running mate to the People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election, is under investigation over alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion in state funds.
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has supported Okowa’s detention, calling it a “positive step” in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The former governor reportedly responded to an EFCC invitation on Monday but was detained as investigators continue probing the allegations against him.
Sources close to the investigation told Punch that Okowa is also accused of failing to account for an additional N40 billion purportedly invested in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas shares, as well as purchasing equity in a major Nigerian bank, allegedly using public funds. Investigators are reportedly examining his use of state resources for personal ventures, including real estate acquisitions in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State.