By Austin Ogwuda
Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Nigeria, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is among the numerous prominent Nigerians who paid tribute to the departed elder statesman, Pa EK Clark.
Although his tribute was not widely publicised like others or released by his Media handlers but captured only on his verified Social Media page.
In a terse message, Okowa wrote, “On behalf of my family, I mourn the passing of Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, an elder statesman, nationalist and fearless advocate for the Niger Delta region.
“His contributions to the development of our great nation, particularly in the Niger Delta region will never be forgotten.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Ijaw nation and all who were inspired by his leadership. May his soul rest in peace, Amen”.
Recall that Late Pa Clark in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) complained that ex-governor Okowa allegedly floated a private commercial bank, Premium Bank, which he allegedly used to lodge all the derivation funds, accruing to Delta State during his tenure.
According to him, “I also mentioned in the letter that he (Okowa) has 13 companies. I told him he put the 13 per cent (derivation funds) into these 13 companies and let him deny it”.
Clark who was also the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) further claimed that “Instead of paying 50 per cent (of the N1.760 trillion) to the DESOPADEC as provided by the law, which is automatic, he (Okowa) now held the 13 per cent fund- the entire money, dishing out instalments and approving every contract the DESOPADEC had awarded.
The former Federal Commissioner said he was dissatisfied with the former governor’s response and had to hire a lawyer who obtained, from the accountant general’s office, the certified copy of all the derivation funds paid to the state from 2007 to December 2022.
“The one paid to Delta State came to N1.767 trillion,” he said.
Okowa is presently being investigated by the anti graft agency who had since confiscated his Passport and other traveling documents thus stopping him from jetting out of the country for now.
