Okowa: Only In Nigeria Is A Thief Arrogant

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

It is no longer news that the immediate past Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is being investigated over the misappropriation of N1.3 trillion from the coffers of the state government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Frm left, Gov. Oborevwori and Okowa

The news is that following the recent arrest of some of his key appointees some of whom are also serving in the administration of his anointed successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, more facts on the financial sleaze has rolled in, causing a major stir in the embattled former governor’s camp.

The development is believed to have thrown up rumour of the option of seeking safe haven in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) party said to possess the facility to grant Certificate of Indulgence to indicted politicians and political appointees believed to have looted the public treasury.

Indeed, Okowa who reportedly was taken into the commission’s custody at its Port Harcourt facility was believed to have spent three nights before he was allowed to go home. Sequel to crucial evidences secured from various sources including those of his political point men, his passport was reportedly impounded just so to prevent him from fleeing the country, informed sources say.

Before the unfolding twist of event, as our present day politicians are wont to behaving, Okowa after his release rather than be remorseful and stave off controversy, stirred the hornet’s nest by declaring that he knew those orchestrating his trial as if it was a crime for citizens to point out financial crimes for necessary probe.

This was even as he described the allegations against him as “malicious and politically motivated”, irrespective of spending three nights at EFCC cell, plus the temporarily forfeiture of his international passport to the custody of the anti-graft commission.

APC campaign rally with former President Muhammadu Buhari and Adams Oshiomhole in attendance

The former governor who was speaking when the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, led by Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), the Orodje of Okpe, paid him a courtesy visit at his Asaba not only denied and rubbished the allegations against him; he had the effrontery to remonstrate.

The visit regarded as political is not unconnected with his anointed successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who hails from Okpe kingdom.

Thanking the royal father and his entourage for the visit, Okowa said:

Okowa and Atiku during their joint presidential ticket campaign rally

“In politics, there are many things one must face, but it’s unfortunate when baseless accusations are presented to the media,” Okowa said, dismissing the accusations as “unintelligent lies.”

“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’s a deliberate attempt to mislead.”

Okowa, a two-term governor of the state under the auspices of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and who ran as running mate to Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential and who was believed to have expended part of the state funds in the elections said he was not afraid of being probed.

He even bragged that EFCC has already taken note of lies deposed to in the petitions written against him by a number of well meaning stakeholders and political opponents.

“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.

“The information presented in the petition differs vastly from the facts, and I am sure the investigators have seen through the lies. I know the sources of these attacks, but they won’t deter me”, he proudly declared.

From left, Godswill Akpabio in a handshake with PMB at the point he was negotiating his defection to APC

But like they say, the hen is now coming home to roost inspite of the arrogant dismissal of the allegations against him, as the anti-graft agency tighten its noose and is raking in hauls of ground shaking evidences to prosecute the former governor.

As part of its ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion, the EFCC had last month, December 2024 arrested the Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs. Joy Enwa. In addition to Mrs. Enwa who served under Okowa as director of finance and administration (DFA), a certain Ekeruche, also former director of administration, Government House was also arrested and are both being detained for questioning by the commission.

There are reports that the arrested accomplices have volunteered very useful information. By far the most significant of the arrest is that of Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje, a former Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Government House, who is believed to have confessed to withdrawing N87 billion in cash from a commercial bank under Okowa’s directive.

The development has triggered apprehension in the camp of both the former and current governor of the state, those whose business it is to know, says.

While Okowa has reportedly made up his mind to seek audience with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the hope of securing a presidential intervention and safe landing, his successor, Oborevwori is also believed to be exploring the possibility of defecting to APC as a guarantee to stave off the embarrassment of invitation by the EFCC to state what he knows about the N1.3trillion probe.

Governor Oborevwori is believed to have provided his predecessor, parliamentary protection for questionable financials as the then Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Sources familiar with the case say that Okowa has been advised that only President Tinubu can save him under the unfolding circumstances and should spare no effort in meeting with the president as evidences are currently building up against him.

Okowa was alleged to have used his office as governor to acquire assets up to N1.3 trillion, including shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company, among other investments in the oil sector.

Since becoming the sanctuary of political sinners and assembly of questionable political characters, the APC have grown in leaps and bounds, both in numerical and financial strength, and in its capability to talk down on opposition and any segment of the society with dissenting views.

Thus concerned Nigerians have adopted some level of indifference as to how the Okowa N1.3 trillion fraud probe pans out. It will be recalled that in 2019, Adams Oshiomhole, the then APC national chairman declared that political sinners are forgiven when they joined the party.

Oshiomhole who was speaking at the APC presidential campaign in Benin City on January 8, 2019 said:

“I’m told that there are a lot of senior people from PDP who have decided to join forces with President Buhari to take the broom to sweep away PDP to continue to ensure that APC continues to preside over Nigeria,” he said

“It includes my own brother and friend Henry Duke, he is the former organising secretary of PDP. We also have former vice chairman PDP and leader of PDP Edo North, in fact, once you join APC, all your sins are forgiven.”

In the Niger Delta, citizens square up with treasury looters and thieves, and the granting of safe haven on the basis of ‘this thief is our own’ have very limited allowance.

Speaking about the purported move of Governor Oborevwori to jump ship as the Okowa probe intensifies, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the report as untrue.

The State PDP, in a statement by it’s Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, urged members of the public to disregard the report.

“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Delta state chapter has been drawn to mischievous, sinister and baseless speculations especially in the Social Media that the Governor of Delta State and our political leader, His Excellency, Rt.Hon.Sheriff Oborevwori has perfected plans to decamp to the All Progressives Congress APC.

“The State leadership of the PDP viewed such unfounded reports as the handiwork of jobless political hirelings and their ignoble sponsors as failed agents of destabilization and treachery.

“We particularly state in clear terms that the faceless group of individuals spreading the rumours and parading themselves as concerned leaders of the PDP are impostors and are not members of our great Party.

“The state leadership of the PDP urges members of the public to disregard the dubious speculation and also wishes to reassure all that nothing can distract the Governor in keeping faith with the delivery of good governance through his laudable M.O.R.E agenda as exemplified by massive provision of social infrastructure and human capital development across the state.”

Irrespective of the strong objection of the State PDP to alleged moves by Oborevwori to port, our contemporary political history has shown that parties and their flag bearers including elected representatives demonstrates very little or no integrity at all in this and related matters.

As we stand in the threshold of the conclusion of the Okowa N1.3 trillion probe, no one is sure of what the next action would be; especially in view of his reported plan to hide behind President Tinubu’s protection.

While it’s the citizens business to discuss and debate the pros and cons of the matter, history has shown that Aso Rock will always have its way. But tail or head, only time will tell.