EFCC Arrests Delta State Accountant General Amid Investigation into Okowa’s Alleged N1.3 Trillion Funds Diversion
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Mrs. Joy Enwa, the Accountant General of Delta State, as part of their ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in state funds under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The EFCC is probing claims that Okowa misappropriated the funds, which are believed to be part of the 13 percent derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states. In November, the commission arrested Okowa for allegedly looting state funds during his tenure as governor. Among the assets reportedly acquired through these funds are shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other investments in the oil sector.
The EFCC confirmed the arrest of Okowa and his detention at their Port Harcourt office. Last week, they also arrested and detained Mrs. Enwa, the current Accountant General of Delta State, for questioning related to the investigation. Additionally, sources revealed that Ekeruche, a former director of finance and administration, along with the director of administration at the Government House, were detained and made separate statements.
This latest development comes after a previous fraud case in 2015, in which Mrs. Enwa, along with other officials, was linked to a N369 million fraud scheme. Although the accusations were denied, the case raised questions about financial mismanagement during the tenure of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
In April 2020, Okowa appointed Enwa as the new Accountant General of the state, succeeding Cyril Agbele, who had previously been implicated in the 2015 fraud case.
When contacted for comments on her arrest, Mrs. Enwa declined to confirm the story, suggesting that the EFCC be contacted for details. However, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest, noting that she was detained for a few days before being released. Several other state government officials were also arrested during the investigation but have since been released.
