Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has denied allegations that he refunded over ₦500 billion to the state government as part of a covert arrangement to avoid prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The rumours, which circulated widely in Delta State, suggested that Okowa secretly refunded the massive sum to avoid legal consequences and negotiate a possible soft landing with anti-graft authorities.
However, Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olise Ifeajirika, dismissed the claims as false and baseless.
“It’s not true that my boss, Okowa, returned such money. The EFCC is at liberty to do its job,” Ifeajirika said.
He added that Okowa had responded to the EFCC’s invitation and provided necessary documents, and that the investigation was still ongoing.
The denial comes amid speculation fueled by Okowa’s recent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, along with his predecessor and political mentee, Governor Sheriff Oborevwor.
The move had sparked insinuations that Okowa was trying to evade prosecution by the EFCC. However, Ifeajirika maintained that there was no truth to claims of returning money to the Delta State Government or the EFCC.