Two human rights organisations, Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum and International Human Rights Commission on Tuesday faulted the detention of a former Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misuse of N1.3 trillion describing him as a victim of politics.
The civil society organisations threatened that “Delta will rise” and occupy the Regional Office of the commission in Port Harcourt to protest the politically-motivated victimisation and should it fail to prove the allegations.
The chairman of Anti-corruption and Integrity Forum and Board member of IHRC, Prince Joseph Kpokpogri, at a press conference in Abuja queried the mode of operation of the EFCC, saying the commission should grant Okowa bail based on self recognition.
According to him, Okowa ought to be commended for exhibiting maturity unlike a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who has defied the EFCC and resisted every attempt to be arrested and arraigned.
He said, “On Monday, October 4, 2024 the news space went agog over the alleged arrest and detention of former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly embezzling a whopping N1.3 trillion of Delta state’s funds.
“Since the news went viral, I have waited patiently for an official statement from the EFCC on the detention of the former governor. It is a given that the anti-graft agency usually makes public such high-profile arrest and detention to show that nobody is above the law.
“However, it is surprising that the EFCC has resorted to using “sources” over such a sensitive matter. As an anti-corruption crusader, I find it a little troubling that the agency is shying away from making its position known when former Governor Okowa honourably presented himself to the Office of the anti-graft agency in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“Dr. Okowa ought to be commended for being unlike a former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who has defied the EFCC, resisted every attempt to be arrested and arraigned. This trial by the media using proxies is untenable, vexatious and unfortunate.
“The very notion of mentioning such a staggering amount of N1.3trillion is geared towards whipping up sentiments against the ex-governor, the People’s Democratic (PDP) in Delta State and undercut his towering political status.
“One is not oblivious of the political intrigues concerning Delta State aimed at undermining the PDP and weakened it at the grassroots and whip up the people to rebel against the party in future elections. If this is the intention, it has woefully failed.
“It is imperative to state that for N1.3 trillion to have been allegedly stolen, that means that salaries were not paid in Okowa’s eight years as governor. It means that no roads were built, no hospitals were funded. In short, nothing was done in those eight years. Besides, what was the total federal and internal generated revenue of the state for N1.3trillion to have gone missing?
“It is regrettable that the media in its frenzy to “break the news,” and trend will buy and feed on such an unfounded claim. The media need to be careful in its reportage so as not to be seen in aiding misinformation and fake news.
“For context, we need to query the modus operandi of the EFCC. What has happened to the prosecution of some former governors that were taken to court by the agency? For instance Justice David Okorowa of the Federal High Court in Lafia ruled that former Governor Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa State should stand trial as he had a case to answer over allegations of N15billion fraud.
“Also, in 2017, the EFCC said it would arraign Mohammed Nuraini Adamu, son of Abdullahi for alleged N92 million fraud. What happened? Nothing till date! Adamu went on to become National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC.)
“Also, the Supreme Court ordered for the retrial of the corruption case of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia state. Till date, the case has gone cold with nothing from the EFCC. Of course they and many more whose cases have been abandoned belong to the ruling party.
“My demand, which is that of majority of well-meaning Deltans, is for the EFCC to come clean on the invitation and arrest of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. The anti-graft body has its image to protect and should not be seen to be partisan or being used as a fodder to undermine other political parties especially the PDP in Delta State.
“It is important that the EFCC protects the fundamental rights of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and ought to grant him bail based on self-recognition without further delay.”
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