Delta Accountant General, Ex-Officials to Return for EFCC Probe

Delta State’s Accountant General, Mrs. Joy Enwa, along with former Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) Ekeruche and the Director of Administration at Government House, Asaba, are expected to return to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further questioning in the second week of January 2025, Warri Sentinel has learned.

The trio, who were arrested and detained in December 2024, are implicated in an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in state funds during the tenure of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The funds in question are said to be part of the 13 percent derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states.

Sources confirm that Mrs. Enwa and her colleagues, who were initially released after their arrest, are to report back to the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office next month. The commission’s investigation is focused on how Okowa allegedly misused public funds to acquire significant assets, including shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other oil sector investments.

The EFCC had arrested Okowa in November 2024 for his alleged role in the misappropriation.

Following Okowa’s release from EFCC custody, numerous solidarity visits were organized, with individuals, groups, and traditional rulers attempting to portray him positively. However, these visits, along with comments from Okowa that accused the EFCC of political bias, reportedly angered the commission’s operatives, who felt these actions were an attempt to undermine their investigation.

Inside sources at the Accountant General’s office revealed that Enwa and the other officials are under increasing pressure due to the investigation. One anonymous source noted that Mrs. Enwa’s health has been affected by the stress, with her blood pressure rising as the case continues.

“Madam Enwa’s blood pressure is getting higher every day because of the issue. She is so restless. She never saw this coming at all. In fact, all of them are not happy with former governor Ifeanyi Okowa because, according to them, they cannot be suffering for the sins of one man who was busy eating alone with his kinsmen to the detriment of other senatorial districts in the state”.

When contacted for comment, Mrs. Enwa declined to provide further details, urging the reporter to seek information directly from the sources involved. Efforts to reach EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale for a statement were unsuccessful, as his phone lines were unavailable.

Multiple sources within the commission confirmed the January return of the officials for further questioning, and speculated that they could face renewed detention after their interrogation at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt facility.