By Austin Ogwuda
The embattled Delta State Accountant General Mrs. Joy Enwa and former Director of Finance & Administration (DFA) Government House who were arrested late last year and released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the ongoing investigations into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion by former governor of the State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, have been summoned again.
Close sources hinted that they are to report back to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is handling the case second week of January 2025.
Recall that the Commission had earlier quizzed Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in November 2024 for the alleged diversion of the funds, said to be part of the 13 percent Derivation Fund but was later granted bail with his passports seized as part of the bail conditions.
On the 26th of December 2024, The Townhall NG ran this story below:
Alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion by ex-Gov Okowa: EFCC grills Accountant General of Delta State
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are currently on the prowl in Delta State following the ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion said to be part of the 13 percent Derivation Fund by the former governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
Already, the State Accountant General, Mrs. Joy Enwa including the former Director of Finance and Administration Government House, some other Government officials have been arrested and taken into custody at the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the Commission.
According to SaharaReporters, “When contacted for comments on her arrest and detention at the EFCC’s facility in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Enwa declined comments.
“She simply said, I am not the right source to confirm such story from. Why don’t you reach out to the commission to give you details of my arrest and detention if at all I was actually arrested and detained by the Commission?”
“But when SaharaReporters contacted the EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale on Wednesday evening (Christmas day) he confirmed the arrest and detention of Enwa over the ongoing investigation of Okowa.
“Yes, the Accountant General was arrested and detained by the Commission for some days before she was released. We also arrested some officials of the state Government but they have been released as well”, Oyewale confirmed.
Two-time Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who was arrested by the anti-graft agency on November 4, 2024, over the alleged misappropriation of N1.3trn between 2015 and 2023 is currently on bail but barred from travelling out of the country as part of the bail conditions.
Okowa was also accused of another N40 billion he allegedly claimed he used to acquire Shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.
Since Okowa was quizzed in November and released on bail, his Asaba palatial residence turned into a pilgrimage centre as individuals and different groups continued to troop there to pay him solidarity visits.
On one of the occasions, when the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, led by Major General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd.), the Orodje of Okpe came calling, Okowa boldly opened up, saying he was not afraid of EFCC trial.
Said he, “In politics, there are many things one must face, but it is unfortunate when baseless accusations are presented to the media.
“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 is a deliberate attempt to mislead.
“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 stated.
Credit: SaharaReporters
