BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Okowa In PH, Detains Him

By Adesina Soyooye

The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa  has been arrested by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Okowa was arrested in Port Harcourt, and is being detained at the EFCC office in Port Harcourt.

Okowa, who was the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was arrested, according to a newsflash on Channels Television Monday night for alleged fraud and other sundry issues while he was Governor. He is to answer questions on the diversion of funds to the tune of over one trillion Naira, and another for over N40 billion.

Last week, there was a speculation that Okowa had been arrested by the anti-fraud Commission, but it was quickly denied.

Okowa, a Medical Doctor-turned Politician, had served  as the Secretary to the State Delta State Government.  From there, he won an election to the Senate and represented Delta North. Thereafter, he contested for, and won the Governorship seat of Delta State.

He won the seat a second time and served for eight years.

While he was Governor, the Predidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, picked Okowa as his running mate.

Atiku picked Okowa in preference to the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. That exacerbated the crisis in the PDP. Wike, for being ignored by Atiku, decided to fight the PDP from within, and backed Bola Tinubu, the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC. For his efforts, President Tinubu appointed Wike his Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Indications are that Okowa would be in the custody of the EFCC to answer to some questions and thus clear some grey areas.  He is likely to be moved to Abuja from PH.

The EFCC has become a destination for former Governors as soon as they leave office.