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Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has refuted rumors alleging he returned ₦500 billion to the Delta State government during an EFCC probe.
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Okowa’s representative stated that the inquiry is still underway and no funds have been returned.
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The EFCC has pledged to keep investigating the ex-governor, while Okowa’s team maintains his innocence.
The former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has openly refuted allegations that he handed back more than ₦500 billion to the state government amid an active probe conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Reports indicated that Okowa issued the reimbursement to evade potential legal action and potentially reinforce his political standing within the region.
It was claimed that the supposed repayment took place quietly under a sealed agreement with the EFCC. This strategy aimed to reduce potential legal repercussions and possibly secure a lesser penalty from corruption-fighting agencies.
Okowa’s team clarifies: “This statement is incorrect.”
Through his Chief Press Secretary, Olise Ifeajirika, Okowa addressed the spreading rumors with a direct statement.
“Ifeajirika stated emphatically that it’s untrue his boss, Okowa, returned any such funds,” he dismissed the allegations completely.
The Chief Press Secretary also stated that the EFCC had merely summoned Okowa for an inquiry and presented some documents to him as part of their probe, according to reports from Punch.
He acknowledged that the EFCC had indeed been conducting visits to Delta State and interrogating people, yet he insisted that the probe was still underway with no definitive findings as of now.
The investigation continues, according to Okowa’s spokesman
The spokesperson reiterated that there had been no money returned to the Delta State Government or the EFCC at any point during the investigation.
He emphasised that while the EFCC was conducting their work, it was premature to assume any outcome or conclusion at this stage, Leadership reported.
“We believe that the investigation is still ongoing. It is when they conclude and establish a case that they can ask for a refund or go to court,” Ifeajirika added.
Currently, Okowa’s team still stands firmly on their stance that the claims about returning money are untrue, and the probe into his previous tenure as governor is ongoing.
EFCC investigation continues as Okowa maintains innocence
As the EFCC’s probe continues, the speculations about the ₦500 billion refund remain unverified.
Okowa’s reaction to the issue indicates that the political climate during his time as governor of Delta State continues to be under examination, drawing considerable interest from both citizens and anti-graft agencies.
At present, the inquiry is still ongoing, and it seems that Okowa’s team is dedicated to uncovering the facts and refuting any misleading stories about his governance.
Reported N80 billion fraud: EFCC starts investigation into former NNPC leaders
Previously,
.ng
It has been reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a new probe into the former leaders of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), along with the recently terminated managers of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.
The investigation focuses on the suspected misuse of about $2.96 billion (approximately N80 billion) intended for rehabilitating the refineries, which have faced persistent operational problems.
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