The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion in Delta State funds, arresting the state’s Accountant General, Mrs. Joy Enwa. This dramatic development comes amid an ongoing probe into the financial dealings of former Delta State governor and 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
The anti-graft agency detained Mrs. Enwa last week, alongside other state officials, as it digs deeper into allegations of monumental corruption under Okowa’s administration. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrests, stating, “Yes, the Accountant General was arrested and detained by the commission for some days before she was released. We also arrested some officials of the state government, but they have been released as well.”
A Trail of Suspicion
The arrest of Mrs. Enwa is tied to Okowa’s alleged diversion of funds from the 13% derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states. The former governor, now under scrutiny, was reportedly detained by the EFCC in November at their Port Harcourt office. He faces allegations of embezzling funds and amassing assets worth over N1.3 trillion.
Sources within the EFCC have disclosed that part of these assets includes significant shares in the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other investments in the oil sector. The scale of the alleged financial improprieties has sent shockwaves through Delta State, raising questions about the management of public resources.
More Arrests in the Crosshairs
Mrs. Enwa’s arrest follows a pattern of high-profile detentions linked to the case. Alongside her, the EFCC detained Ekeruche, a former Director of Finance and Administration, and a Director of Administration from the Delta State Government House. Both officials were held for several days, during which they reportedly made separate statements to the commission.
The arrest has added a new dimension to the investigation, as Mrs. Enwa is no stranger to controversy. In 2015, as Deputy Accountant General, she was implicated in a N369 million fraud case alongside her then-boss, Cyril Agbele, and other officials. Though Agbele denied the allegations at the time, the case has lingered as a blot on the state’s financial reputation.
From Deputy to Accountant General
Mrs. Enwa’s appointment as Accountant General in April 2020 by Okowa was met with mixed reactions. While her supporters viewed it as a step forward for continuity in the state’s financial administration, critics raised concerns over her past entanglements.
Now, with her detention over the N1.3 trillion scandal, her tenure is under intense scrutiny. When contacted for comments, Mrs. Enwa deflected questions, saying, “I am not the right source to confirm such a story. Why don’t you reach out to the commission to give you details of my arrest and detention, if at all I was actually arrested and detained?”
EFCC’s Renewed Drive
The EFCC’s focus on Delta State’s finances has put the state’s leadership under the spotlight. The commission has been relentless in its pursuit of accountability, particularly concerning the management of funds derived from oil revenue.
Dele Oyewale emphasized that the arrests are part of a broader effort to address corruption at all levels of governance. “We remain committed to ensuring that public funds are accounted for and used for the benefit of the people,” he stated.
A Historical Context
The 13% derivation fund, designed to compensate oil-producing states for environmental degradation and resource extraction, has long been a source of contention. Critics argue that the funds, instead of fostering development, have often been misappropriated by corrupt officials.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported how allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) have been shared among oil-producing states. Delta State, one of the largest beneficiaries, has come under fire for the perceived misuse of these funds.
The latest probe is reminiscent of past scandals in Delta State. During the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, allegations of last-minute financial improprieties marred the state’s reputation. The 2015 fraud case involving Cyril Agbele and Mrs. Enwa is just one example of how systemic corruption has plagued Delta State’s financial management.
