KEY POINTS

• Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa visited the EFCC’s Lagos office over an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of about N1.3 trillion.

• The probe reportedly centres on 13 per cent derivation funds received by Delta State between 2015 and 2023 during his administration.

• Okowa is also said to have requested the release of his passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment, though the EFCC has not confirmed whether the request was granted.

Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday visited the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations involving the diversion of approximately N1.3 trillion belonging to Delta State.

The visit comes amid continued scrutiny of the management of funds that accrued to the state during Okowa’s eight-year tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the anti-graft agency is examining allegations that funds received by Delta State as 13 per cent derivation revenue from the Federation Account were improperly diverted during the period under review.

The derivation fund is a constitutional allocation granted to oil-producing states as compensation for the exploitation of natural resources within their territories.

Investigators are reportedly focusing on the management and utilisation of funds received by Delta State between 2015 and 2023, a period during which Okowa served as governor.

Former Governor Appears at Lagos EFCC Office

Okowa was seen at the EFCC’s Lagos office located on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

While officials of the commission did not publicly comment on the visit, sources indicated that the former governor’s appearance was connected to the ongoing investigation.

The development marks another chapter in the anti-graft agency’s probe into financial activities carried out during his administration.

Sources also disclosed that Okowa’s visit was partly aimed at securing the release of his international passport.

The former governor reportedly requested the document to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

As of the time of reporting, there was no official confirmation on whether the EFCC had approved the request or returned the passport.

The latest visit follows Okowa’s earlier encounter with the anti-corruption agency in November 2024.

At the time, he was reportedly arrested and questioned by EFCC operatives at the commission’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate over allegations linked to the management of state funds.

The investigation has continued since then, with the commission examining financial records and transactions connected to the allegations.

The case has attracted significant public attention due to the large amount involved and the prominence of the former governor, who also served as the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.

Anti-corruption advocates have consistently called for thorough investigations into allegations involving public funds, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in governance.

While the EFCC continues its investigation, no court has convicted Okowa of any wrongdoing, and the allegations remain under investigation.