A good governance advocacy group, the New Delta Coalition, NDC, has described the recent arrest and detention of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as “shocking but hardly surprising.”
In a statement signed by its convener, Mr. Godwin Anaughe, the NDC expressed dismay over Okowa’s alleged misuse of funds estimated at approximately N1.3 trillion— derived from Delta’s 13 per cent derivation allocation between 2015 and 2023, which was intended to benefit Delta residents.
Okowa was alleged to have diverted these funds to acquire luxury properties in Abuja and Asaba.
The NDC described Okowa’s administration as one “marked by systemic corruption, lack of transparency, and impunity,” claiming that these issues hindered Delta’s development and impoverished communities despite substantial federal allocations. The coalition praised the EFCC’s actions and called for a thorough investigation to recover any looted funds and prosecute those involved.
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The coalition further scrutinized the current administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, alleging that his tenure has shown minimal progress since he assumed office. According to the NDC, Delta State has received an additional N239.6 billion in 13% derivation funds between June 2023 and July 2024, but little improvement has been seen from these allocations.
They urged Governor Oborevwori, who served as Speaker of the Delta State Assembly before becoming governor, to support federal investigations into Okowa’s alleged actions and to enact measures to prevent future financial misconduct.
“The arrest and detention of Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Delta State, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion of Delta State funds is shocking but hardly surprising. This staggering amount, representing 13% derivation funds of Delta State’s allocation from the federation account between 2015 and 2023, was meant to benefit the people of Delta State.
“Ifeanyi Okowa’s alleged diversion of these funds for personal gain, including acquiring properties in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State, breached public trust during his governorship. Okowa’s alleged financial crimes confirm the prevalent and pervasive corruption, lack of transparency and accountability, impunity, and executive lawlessness of the PDP administration in Delta State, which over the years have exacerbated the struggles of everyday Deltans.
“The EFCC’s investigation and arrest of Okowa are crucial steps toward ensuring accountability and justice. We commend the EFCC’s efforts and urge them to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the funds are recovered and the perpetrators are prosecuted and brought to justice.
“Delta State’s widespread poverty and underdevelopment have been constructed and sustained by monumental corruption and theft of the state’s resources. The chronic lack of basic social services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities contradicts the humongous federal allocations.
“Poverty conditions in the state’s oil-rich areas are exacerbated by unremedied pollution, ecological damage, and unmitigated climate change. Oil-producing communities in Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko and Ndokwa continue to suffer neglect and misery due to corruption and bad governance.
“The Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), established to facilitate development, has failed to justify its mandate and dashed hopes for sustained interventions to promote development and progress of concerned areas.
“As Speaker of the Delta State Assembly from June 2017 to May 2023, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had a responsibility to safeguard the state’s resources; however, he failed to do so. Now, as governor, he bears a solemn duty to cooperate with federal investigators to recover alleged looted funds and hold Okowa and his collaborators accountable. Implementing measures to prevent such corruption in the future is also essential.
“We call for a thorough and transparent investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators. Deltans deserve to be served with the highest attainable standards of transparency, accountability, and good, effective governance. We will continue to advocate for their rights, with the sole aim of Building A New Delta.”
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