Okowa, Akpabio, Fayose… ex-governors hunted by EFCC

Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of diverting N1.3 trillion in derivation funds meant for Delta State between 2015 and 2023.

Sources reveal Okowa was detained at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt office after failing to account for the funds, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas and a major Nigerian bank. The former governor is also under scrutiny for purportedly using diverted funds to purchase properties in Abuja and Asaba.

Okowa joins a long list of ex-governors who have come under EFCC’s watch. Here are five other former governors entangled in high-profile EFCC cases:

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1. Willie Obiano (Anambra State): Hours after stepping down in March 2022, Obiano was arrested at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport while attempting to leave for the U.S. He faced accusations of mismanaging N42 billion, which prompted his detention in EFCC custody for further questioning.

2. Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara State): Known for facing multiple EFCC interrogations, Yari was linked to several cases, including an attempt to move N300 billion from a corporate bank account and alleged involvement in an N84 billion fraud with a former Accountant General. He was also implicated in spending $700,000 from government funds on a religious trip to Saudi Arabia.

3. Theodore Orji (Abia State): Arrested in August 2021, Orji and his sons were investigated for alleged money laundering and misuse of public funds, including a staggering N500 million monthly security vote during his tenure. Additional allegations included mismanagement of ecological and Sure-P funds, Paris Club refunds, and other loans.

4. Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State): The EFCC first arrested Akpabio in 2015, barely six months after his tenure ended. He faced allegations of diverting over N100 billion and using state funds to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja. Akpabio, who later joined the APC, was again detained briefly in 2021 over bribery allegations, which he denied.

5. Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State): After his second term ended, Fayose turned himself in to the EFCC in 2018 amid N2.2 billion fraud case. Fayose, along with his company Spotless Limited, faced 11 charges, including allegations of fraud and money laundering, linked to funds misappropriated through the Office of the National Security Adviser.