EFCC’s Probe: Okowa Plots Sheriff’s Removal Despite London Accord

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Among other issues, the leakage of the rumour associated with the detention for three days of the former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is believed to have triggered a cold war between him and his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Chief Edwin Clark

While Oborevwori administration have understandably kept mute and has on particular occasions refuted the existence of a frozen relationship, insiders according to reports have squealed that the disagreement may not be unconnected with Okowa’s  suspected failed bid to get his political god son not to cooperate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the probe of his financial administration.

The permutation is that such line of action alone may frustrate the Commission from securing vital information to put Okowa behind bars. Other reasons for the ongoing cold war, sources say includes alleged tactics by Governor Oborevwori to rid himself of the overbearing influence of appointees imposed on him by his predecessor; amid quiet murmuring allegedly by the state governor of his predecessor’s unbecoming interferences and attempts to pigeon hole his grip on governance.

According to reports, Okowa had after his release by the EFCC few weeks ago summoned Oborevwori to London where he has been spending time, in attempt to extract promises from not to cooperate with the Commission’s investigation.

Although the agreements reached between both men still  remains sketchy as at the time of this publication, privileged but unconfirmed report says Oborevwori pledged to cover up for him as long as possible; while refusing to make the matter a general one to be witnessed by their key supporters.

The former governor is been investigated over N600 billion missing state fund, he is alleged to have embezzled. While Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has remained steadfast in accusing Okowa of misappropriating the state’s derivation fund amounting to N1.760 trillion, an independent anti-corruption Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative (NACAT) has also claimed that the embattled former governor who crashed out of the 2023 vice presidential race on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), misappropriated, diverted and laundered billions of naira during his tenure.

NACAT Secretary, Tega Oghenedoro explained that not only did Okowa misappropriated, diverted and laundered during his tenure, he further alleged that Okowa also left a debt burden of over N480 billion in addition to unpaid then ongoing projects, estimated at over N150 billion.

Pa Clark is one of those who have accused Okowa of floating of the Premium Bank, ostensibly as a channel for siphoning and diverting the state’s derivation funds. The octogenarian also accused him of mismanaging the funds while sidelining the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC); established to equitably distribute the funds amongst the host communities.

DESOPADEC is an interventionist agency established to manage the 13 percent oil derivation fund just so to drive the development of the oil-producing communities in the state.

Oborevwori and Okowa when the going was cosy

As part of his charge, Pa Clark dismissed Okowa’s explanations that Asaba has been forced to deep into the fund to attend to matters not captured in its use. “Okowa said he had been spending the money…we have been asking, their answer was that they spent N5 billion on paying pensioners. How does that come under 13 percent?” the elder statesman asked.

“And they also spent the money building a university in Okowa’s village. I mentioned in the letter [to the EFCC] that Okowa has 13 companies. I told him he put the 13 percent (derivation funds) into these 13 companies, let him deny it.

“The one paid to Delta state came to N1.767 trillion. Instead of paying 50 percent (of the N1.760 trillion) to the DESOPADEC as provided by the law, which is automatic, he now held the 13 percent fund — the entire money, dishing out instalmentally and approving every contract the DESOPADEC had awarded.

“So, Okowa has embezzled our money. It’s not even accounted for in his annual budget.”

Before things started falling apart for the two, Oborewhori has also been accused of plotting to run aground and achieve the possible collapse of the State Trust Mortgage Bank in collusion with the bank’s management.

The stories of criminal collaborations and official inactions flowing from the mismanagement of the bank will distress any sane citizen.  Thus between Okowa and Oborevwori, the state financials cannot face the scrutiny of thorough accounting, since the occupants of Government House Asaba appears heavily involved beyond compromise. But that is matter for another day.

While Oborowheri is believed to be paying off some of the project debts left un-serviced by his political god father, there has been audible whispering of his exasperation at been made to create fresh financial valves as drain pipes.

Those whose business it is to know say Okowa is unhappy that while Oborevwori is not keeping to agreement, he is believed to have also been lamenting that his god son is disloyal and can no longer be trusted. Oborevwori  has reportedly since set about demobilizing him politically by reducing  the political influence of those the former governor planted around him.

While Governor Oborevwori is building his own political structure and independence, his colleague’s comrades with whom together, jointly and strategically controlled the government in the last administration are said to be plotting his ouster in the next election for daring to undermine Okowa; as the guy with the power, it is said he is not leaving anything to chance.

Matter came to a head when Okowa’s brother, Tonobok Okowa reportedly resigned his membership of the National Youth Games Committee, established  to drive the just concluded 8th National Youth Games hosted by the state government.

Tonobok Okowa’s resignation purportedly followed rumour of Governor Oborevwori allegedly calling him a thief and criminal on account of contract money he reportedly demanded from the Chairman of the Committee, Solomon Ogba reportedly on the directive of his brother, the former governor.

Ogba who had reportedly called Governor Oborevwori to confirm the arrangement was believed to have unwittingly placed the telephone on speaker, making it possible for Tonobok to listen to the conversation and the said name calling by the governor.

Oborewhori is believed to have also earlier angered his political mentor by allegedly accusing him of seeking to corner juicy contracts despite the huge debt overhang he left for him to settle. Despite careful denials, the battle is believed to be raging between the Wike of Delta State and Asaba own Fubara.

Will this fight lead to a break on the political stranglehold on the state’s efficient running by the former governor and his stooges still in government?  Who between the incumbent and the former governor will win the battle? The answers to these and many more questions that agitates the minds of citizens lies in the bosom of time.

Of the royal wrestlers, we are only but mere spectators! The aphorism that ‘there is no honour amongst thieves’ may be playing out here as the titanic battle, rages.

Okowa and Oborevwori have been team players in determining the direction of the development of the state in the past five years. Within this period, analysts say the state has not fared very well with underdevelopment indices soaring, fueled by questionable state borrowing especially in the last dispensation under Okowa’s watch; while citizens standard of living continue to plummet.

Head or tail, this ongoing political battle is significant in many ways; since a winner and a loser is bound to emerge and be made known at the nick of time. What cannot be immediately foreseen is where this battle will leave the state and people; and or, whether it would be for the better or worse.

Recall that earlier this year, Governor Oborevwori dismissed claim that Okowa was dictating to him and determining the pace of governance.  “I’m hearing many things. I want to make it clear that Okowa is not influencing my decisions. I acknowledged his wise counsel which has helped me a lot.”

The governor who was speaking at the first-anniversary thanksgiving of his administration at the Living Faith Church, Ibusa Road, Asaba, declared that the claim of being under Okowa’s influence was misleading and incorrect.