Former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has reportedly been seen at the Lagos Directorate 1 office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ikoyi, Lagos.
A senior source within the anti-graft agency said his visit may be linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged abuse of office and financial misconduct during his time in office.
Okowa has been under EFCC investigation since leaving office over allegations involving the alleged mismanagement of about N1.3 trillion in 13 per cent derivation funds allocated to Delta State from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.
He was first arrested on November 4, 2024, and later interrogated at the commission’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate.
According to the source, the former governor’s recent visit to the Lagos office was reportedly aimed at seeking the release of his international passport to allow him travel abroad for urgent medical attention.
However, it was not immediately clear whether the EFCC granted the request or released the travel document.
Attempts to get an official reaction from EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
BACKSTORY…
The report involving Ifeanyi Okowa and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is part of a wider ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Governor of Delta State.
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The probe centres on claims that large sums—reportedly drawn from the 13 per cent derivation funds allocated to oil-producing states—may have been mismanaged or diverted between 2015 and 2023. These allegations have been under scrutiny by the anti-graft agency since Okowa left office.
He was previously arrested in November 2024 and questioned by EFCC investigators as part of the same case, which has remained active over time.
His recent appearance at the EFCC Lagos office is being linked to follow-up administrative procedures connected to the investigation, including reports that he may have been seeking approval related to his international passport for medical travel.
The situation reflects the broader pattern of post-office accountability investigations in Nigeria, where former public officials are often reviewed for actions taken during their time in government.
