Okowa: EFCC Arrests Delta State Accountant-General

The Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs. Joy Enwa, has been reportedly arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Her arrest is part of the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion under the administration of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

The investigation centers around the alleged diversion of funds from the 13% derivation allocated to oil-producing states.

Former Governor Okowa, who also served as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was detained by the EFCC in November at its Port Harcourt division.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Okowa is accused of using his position to embezzle funds and acquire assets valued at over N1.3 trillion, including shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other oil sector investments.

In connection with this probe, SaharaReporters disclosed that Mrs. Enwa was arrested last week for questioning. EFCC operatives also detained a former Director of Finance and Administration, Ekeruche, and the Director of Administration, Government House, Delta State. The officials reportedly provided separate statements during their time in custody.

This is not Mrs. Enwa’s first controversy. In 2015, as Deputy Accountant General, she was implicated alongside then Accountant General Cyril Agbele, a First City Monument Bank (FCMB) branch manager, and other state officials in a N369 million fraud case. The allegations, which surfaced near the end of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure, were denied by Agbele.

Mrs. Enwa later succeeded Agbele as Accountant General in 2020 under Governor Okowa’s administration. However, her recent arrest has raised further questions about financial management during Okowa’s tenure.

When contacted, Mrs. Enwa declined to comment, suggesting that inquiries be directed to the EFCC. The Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed her arrest and subsequent release, along with other detained state officials.