Okowa also said he willingly reported to the EFCC, saying the anti-graft agency never established any fraudulent case against him
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he diverted N1.3 trillion oil derivation funds meant for his state is not true.
The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain made the rebuttal in a statement issued by his media aide, Olisa Ifeajika.
According to him, the Nigerian anti-graft agency did not establish any fraudulent case against him.
He went on to claim that he willingly reported to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to clear himself of any fraudulent act.
The former governor added that he has nothing to do with the alleged 13 percent derivation fund diversion.
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The statement titled ‘Okowa and EFCC: The Facts, The Fiction and The Fairy Tale’ partly read, “The allegation that the former governor allegedly diverted N1.3 trillion oil derivation funds is as ludicrous as it is outlandish.
“This is just a rehash of the same spurious allegations that some malicious, myopic, vindictive, and prejudiced persons concocted while Okowa was still in office.
“The first point that needs to be made is that the EFCC has not established any case against Dr. Okowa.
“As is customary with the anti-graft agency, the former governor was invited to answer questions relating to some petitions that were filed against him by some disgruntled elements.
“Upon his return from vacation, and as a man with a clear conscience, Dr. Okowa proceeded to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt as requested.
“The substance of the petitions was that Dr. Okowa allegedly corruptly enriched himself and used state resources to acquire 80 percent stake in Premium Trust Bank.
“He was also alleged to have diverted state resources to build housing estates in Asaba and Abuja and two hotels.”