The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking Initiative has called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission to investigate a former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, over alleged misappropriation of state funds.
Executive Director Investigation of the anti-corruption group, Tega Oghenedoro, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja.
Oghenedoro, who spoke at a news conference, alleged that billions of naira were misappropriated, diverted and laundered during the administration of the former governor, which needed to be investigated by anti-corruption bodies.
He said a petition had been submitted to the EFCC and ICPC requesting them to commence investigation into the activities of Okowa while in office.
He said: “We are at a loss as to why the EFCC and ICPC have not started investigating and prosecuting him in spite of looting over N500 billion of his state money.
“We have submitted petitions to such effect for months.
“A statesman from Delta has also submitted a petition.
“As a leading anti-corruption group in Nigeria, we will be failing in our duties and responsibilities if we turn a blind eye to the wanton corruption and embezzlement of public funds orchestrated by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and not bring it to the public domain
“We have painstakingly investigated and audited many of the financial records of the state available to us and detailed our findings here as part of our press briefing today.”
Oghenedoro also alleged that in spite of the over N3 trillion that came into the state coffers under the Okowa, a staggering sum of N600 billion that cannot be accounted for was borrowed by him.
According to him, the former governor also left a debt profile of N480 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth over N150 billion.
Reacting to the allegation, Olise Ifeajika, the spokesperson for Okowa, said the allegations were not new and commended the group for being whistleblowers.
Ifeajika said the group had done well by submitting its petition to the anti-graft agencies, urging them to allow the agencies to investigate the allegations.
He said his principal ruled the state with almost transparency and observed due process in all his dealings as governor.
According to him, most of the allegations were frivolous and unfounded.
He said: “The thing is not new.
Also Read:
- Police constable recruitment: Successful candidates get date to resume training
- House Public Accounts Committee recovers additional $14m from oil companies
- Eid al-Fitri: Obasa felicitates Muslims, urges support, prayers for Tinubu
- Aisha Achimugu declared wanted by EFCC speaks, defends business practice
- Police rescue two kidnap victims, hunt for alleged abductors
“We have seen such allegations before, but they have done well to have sent petitions to ICPC and EFCC.
“That is okay.
“They are whistleblowers, but they should allow these authorities to do the investigations.
“They can’t be judges in their own case.
“They are the accusers and they want to be judges at the same time.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
