Okowa: EFCC Arrests Accountant General Over Alleged Diversion of N1.3 Trillion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is intensifying its probe into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion from state funds during the tenure of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The investigation, which centers on mismanagement of the 13 percent derivation funds designated for oil-producing states, has led to the recent arrest of key figures linked to the financial scandal.

Among those detained is the current Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs. Joy Enwa, who was taken into custody by EFCC operatives for questioning last week. Enwa’s arrest forms part of the broader investigation into alleged fraudulent activities, which have implicated former Governor Okowa and several high-ranking officials within the state’s financial management apparatus.

Okowa, who served as Delta State Governor from 2015 to 2023 and was a former vice-presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was arrested in November 2025. The EFCC accuses Okowa of using his office to siphon off state funds, including acquiring significant assets such as shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other ventures in the oil sector. These funds are believed to have been part of the 13 percent derivation allocated to oil-producing states as per the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

A source close to the investigation revealed that Mrs. Enwa’s predecessor, Cyril Agbele, and others were implicated in a previous N369 million fraud case in 2015. This earlier scandal involved several state officials, including Enwa, who was Agbele’s deputy at the time. The 2015 fraud, which allegedly took place shortly before the end of the tenure of then-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, involved fraudulent transfers from state funds, with several suspects arrested.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed Enwa’s arrest and subsequent detention, adding that other state government officials, including the former Director of Finance and Administration and staff from the Government House, were also detained during the investigation. These individuals were questioned and have since been released.

In an interview, Enwa declined to comment on the details of her arrest, stating she was not the appropriate source to verify the allegations. “Why don’t you reach out to the commission to give you details of my arrest and detention if at all I was actually arrested and detained by the commission?” she said.

Despite her refusal to comment, the EFCC’s probe into the alleged diversion of the N1.3 trillion continues to unfold, with operatives likely to pursue further arrests and questioning of individuals connected to the scandal.