Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed confidence that he knows the individuals behind the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asserting that he is not intimidated by the probe.
Okowa made the statement during a solidarity visit by the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, which was led by Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd.), the Orodje of Okpe, at his residence in Asaba on Thursday.
The EFCC is currently investigating Okowa, who served two terms as governor, over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in state funds.
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However, the former governor, who was also the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, dismissed the accusations as “malicious and politically motivated.” He further claimed that certain individuals were deliberately manipulating facts to pursue their own agendas.
Okowa said, “In politics, there are many things one must face, but it’s unfortunate when baseless accusations are presented to the media.”
He dismissed accusations of misappropriating the money as “unintelligent lies.”
“To claim that someone could misappropriate such an amount implies that they would need to take N16 to N20 billion monthly for 96 months. This is not just unreasonable; it’s a deliberate attempt to mislead,” Okowa said.
Regarding his recent EFCC inquiry, Okowa said he welcomed the agency’s investigation and saw no need to block its efforts.
“I am not afraid of any investigation and will not stop the EFCC from carrying out its duties. Unlike others who seek court orders to obstruct investigations, I believe in transparency. However, the public deserves accurate information, not fabrications by certain individuals,” he asserted.
Okowa stressed that the allegations were politically motivated and reiterated that he had confidently answered all questions from the EFCC officials.
“The information presented in the petition differs vastly from the facts, and I am sure the investigators have seen through the lies. I know the sources of these attacks, but they won’t deter me. I served Delta State with the support of our people and leaders like you, and we achieved significant progress,” he told the visiting traditional rulers.
The traditional rulers vowed to support the former governor, expressing gratitude for his strong relationship with them and confidence that justice would ultimately be on his side.
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