The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arresting the immediate former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Naijaonpoint reported earlier that the anti-graft agency confirmed Okowa’s arrest over allegations of misappropriating ₦1.3 trillion, which represents the proceeds from 13 percent derivation funds allocated to the state during his administration.
Okowa, who served as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, had visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt earlier.
However, he was taken into custody immediately.
Reacting to the development, PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, said Okowa’s arrest and detention was a wrong step by the anti-graft agency.
He stressed that the Delta State government had not complained that its funds were missing under Okowa’s administration.
Osadolor characterized Okowa’s detention as a form of political persecution and an attempt to suppress opposition voices, asserting that such actions are detrimental to the principles of democracy.
He noted that Okowa had been operating freely until the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, began to voice criticisms of government policies.
“It is surprising that a man who came to the EFCC office himself was detained, and 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.
“The development is very dangerous and we must condemn it,” he said.
Osadolor added that some former governors and leaders of the ruling party had some financial management allegations against them, yet they were 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.
“We should also know that there is a pattern from the arrest of Okowa, by next week, EFCC may go after Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.
“This is a plan targeted at opposition leaders in the country.
“We are not saying that political office leaders should not be called to account but it should be devoid of political sentiments,” he said.
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.
“We are also calling for a total overhaul of the EFCC Act so that no president, no matter how powerful he is, can appoint directors for the commission.
“Let the judiciary or the Senate be the one that will appoint the chairman or board members of EFCC.
“It should be removed from the exclusive control of the presidency,” he added.