Okowa sighted at EFCC office over N1.3t probe

A former Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was sighted on Monday at the Lagos Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi over a N1.3 trillion probe.

According to top sources within the commission, his visit is connected to the ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion.

The N1.3 trillion was alleged to be a part of the 13 percent derivation funds from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.

The former governor was first arrested on November 4, 2024 and detained for questioning at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate.

At the Lagos office, sources said Okowa was making efforts to secure the release of his international passport.

He reportedly told investigators he needed to travel abroad for an urgent medical treatment.

It remains unclear whether the EFCC granted his request or returned the travel document.

Okowa was governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later emerged as the party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election alongside Atiku Abubakar.

He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside his successor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and other political figures in the state in April 2025.

Attempts to get an official reaction from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, proved abortive.

Oyewale’s phone rang out without response when contacted.

The probe into the N1.3 trillion derivation fund is one of the commission’s high-profile cases targeting alleged mismanagement of oil revenue by past officials.