The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately release former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency had confirmed the arrest of Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
According to EFCC, Okowa was arrested when he reported at its Port Harcourt office.
The former Delta governor was arrested for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion being proceeds of 13 per cent derivation funds that accrued to the state during his tenure.
Osadolor described Okowa’s detention by EFCC as political witch-hunting, persecution and another method of silencing the opposition parties, saying that this was not good for democracy.
He said Okowa had been working free until the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, started criticising government policies.
“It is surprising that a man who came to the EFCC office himself was detained and till now, he is still in detention.
“The man was not evading arrest. He is a global figure and he is being robed with humongous figures which is not true.
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Daily Post Nigeria
Daily Post Nigeria
PoliticsAlleged N1.3trn diversion: PDP demands immediate release of OkowaPublished on November 5, 2024By Nsikak Nseyen
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately release former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency had confirmed the arrest of Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
According to EFCC, Okowa was arrested when he reported at its Port Harcourt directorate.
DAILY POST recalls that the former Delta governor was arrested for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion being proceeds of 13 per cent derivation funds that accrued to the state during his tenure.
Osadolor described Okowa’s detention by EFCC as political witch-hunting, persecution and another method of silencing the opposition parties, saying that this was not good for democracy.
He said Okowa had been working free until the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, started criticising government policies.
“It is surprising that a man who came to the EFCC office himself was detained and till now, he is still in detention.
“The man was not evading arrest. He is a global figure and he is being robed with humongous figures which is not true.
“Delta state government has not said that its money is missing.
“EFCC is playing the role of a litigant and that of the prosecution, and going to the media with an investigation that was purportedly ongoing.
Osadolor added that some former governors and leaders of the ruling party were having some financial management allegations against them and yet walking freely.
“What is the difference with what has happened in the case of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa if not mere politics.
“Okowa should be released while media trials and embarrassment of opposition leaders must stop.
Osadolor advised the anti-graft agency not to see itself as an extension of the ruling party or the presidency, but a neutral, independent body that investigates financial crimes.
