The previous governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, remains to be being held on the Port Harcourt, Rivers State workplace of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee.
This makes it his second evening within the custody of the anti-graft company.
That is because the Delta State chapter of All Progressives Congress backed the detention of the previous governor, describing it as a constructive step in Nigeria’s ongoing battle in opposition to corruption.
Okowa, who was the operating mate of the Peoples Democratic Celebration presidential candidate within the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, reported on the EFCC workplace, following an invite by investigators over the alleged diversion of N1.3trn.
He was subsequently arrested and detained.
Sources stated the previous governor was additionally accused of failing to present accounts of one other N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to accumulate shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Pure Fuel.
One of many sources stated, “He was additionally accused of failing to render accounts of the funds in addition to one other N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to accumulate shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Pure Fuel.
“He additionally allegedly purchased shares of N40bn in one of many main banks within the nation, representing eight per cent fairness to drift the offshore LNG. The funds have been alleged for use for different functions.
“Investigators are additionally investigating the diversion of funds by the previous governor to accumulate estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta State.”
Nevertheless, a supply acquainted with the matter informed our correspondent on Tuesday that the previous governor was but to be launched due to the quantum of the allegations in opposition to him.
The supply added that Okowa was earlier within the day confronted with the allegations.
“We’re nonetheless conserving him, he’s nonetheless with us. The investigation is ongoing and earlier, he was confronted with a number of the allegations in opposition to him.
“We’re nonetheless conserving him due to the quantum of the allegations and quantity concerned. We would like him to answer the allegations,” the supply stated.
The Delta APC State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, in a press release on Tuesday, urged the EFCC to proceed its investigation into the monetary dealings of different former governors and public officers.
The assertion partly learn: “We within the APC wholeheartedly welcome the arrest of the previous governor, who oversaw one of the crucial regarding circumstances of economic mismanagement throughout his eight-year tenure.
“His administration allegedly funnelled vital state sources into private ventures, together with establishing a financial institution, financing a failed presidential ambition, and supporting the controversial imposition of a successor.
“The arrest serves as a warning to all public officeholders, affirming that the period of impunity is over and that nobody, regardless of place or political affiliation, is above the regulation.”
It added that “The legacy of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration is a excessive debt profile ensuing from a reckless borrowing spree, which earned him the infamous nickname of ‘Borrow Borrow Governor’.
”Throughout his eight years in workplace, Delta State has little to point out for the huge federal allocations obtained. The few substandard roads he constructed usually hailed because the ‘roadmaster,’ have deteriorated quickly.”