KEY POINTS
- EFCC summons Okowa ‘not in connection with diverting Emolument Account funds’.
- Aide describes ₦1.3 trillion diversion claims as baseless, impractical.
- The EFCC visit centered on allegations of investments in Premium Trust Bank and a property.
Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said his recent invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had nothing to do with allegations of diversion of the 13 percent oil derivation fund.
But Okowa’s aide, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika said accusations of diverting N1.3 trillion was baseless, an attempt to smear the Okowa’s image.
Allegation of diversion of N1.3 Trillion rejected by aide
Ifeajika said there were wild claims of fund diversion by the Okowa government, adding that there was no basis to it as it ignored the realities of government operations. Such an amount, he further countered the misappropriation narrative, meant the state would no longer be able to service salaries and financing of projects.
Petitions in Premium Trust bank and property ownership
Okowa’s EFCC visit was due to petitions that the former governor acquired an 80 percent stake in Premium Trust Bank, and invested state resources in properties in Asaba and Abuja, an aide clarified.
According to Ifeajika, the accusations are unverified and are designed to mislead the public that Okowa’s reputation is intact.
A sensational and misrepresentative coverage of the incident, Okowa’s team said, criticizing the media. Also, the aide stressed that there is no case against Okowa and that he is willing to cooperate fully with EFCC.
