Alleged N1.3trn diversion: PDP demands immediate release of Okowa

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately release former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.

The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Operatives of the anti-graft agency had confirmed the arrest of Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

According to EFCC, Okowa was arrested when he reported at its Port Harcourt directorate.

CityNews Nigeria recalls that the former Delta governor was arrested for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion being proceeds of 13 per cent derivation funds that accrued to the state during his tenure.

Osadolor described Okowa’s detention by EFCC as political witch-hunting, persecution and another method of silencing the opposition parties, saying that this was not good for democracy.

He said Okowa had been working free until the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, started criticising government policies.

“It is surprising that a man who came to the EFCC office himself was detained and till now, he is still in detention.

“The man was not evading arrest. He is a global figure and he is being robed with humongous figures which is not true.

“Delta state government has not said that its money is missing.

“EFCC is playing the role of a litigant and that of the prosecution, and going to the media with an investigation that was purportedly ongoing.

“The development is very dangerous and we must condemn it,” he said.

Osadolor added that some former governors and leaders of the ruling party were having some financial management allegations against them and yet walking freely.

“What is the difference with what has happened in the case of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa if not mere politics.

“Okowa should be released while media trials and embarrassment of opposition leaders must stop.

“We should also know that there is a pattern, from the arrest of Okowa, by next week, EFCC may go after Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.

“This is a plan targetted at opposition leaders in the country.

“We are not saying that political office leaders should not be called to account but it should be devoid of political sentiments,” he said.

Osadolor advised the anti-graft agency not to see itself as an extension of the ruling party or the presidency, but a neutral, independent body that investigates financial crimes.

“We are also calling for a total overhaul of the EFCC Act so that no president, no matter how powerful he is, can appoint directors for the commission.

“Let the judiciary or the Senate be the one that will appoint the chairman or board members of EFCC.

“It should be removed from the exclusive control of the presidency,” he said.