Oil and gas-producing communities of Delta State (OGPC) yesterday urged the EFCC to hasten the investigation and prosecution of former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on how he managed the 13 percent oil derivation funds for eight years.
They alleged that Okowa has to account for over N1.2 trillion meant for the physical development of the oil-producing communities of Delta State to truncate the arm of justice.
The communities represented by the Association of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State, at a press conference in Abuja, lamented the foot-dragging by the EFCC to invite Okowa for questioning despite the presentation of evidence of alleged mismanagement of the funds.
The group, which noted that they acquired and submitted financial records on the derivation account from the Ministry of Finance, lamented that only a paltry N208 billion was disbursed in the eight-year period of the Okowa administration, as claimed by the former commissioner of information.
Their leaders at the conference were: Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, Chief Mulade B. Sheriff; Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, Sir Mathew Itsekure; Urhobo Ethnic Nationality, Hon. Mark Ikpuri; and Isoko Ethnic Nationality, Chief John Etenero.
Others were Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality, Comrade Osita Ijeoma; Vice Chairman, Delta State Elders Forum, Chief Godwin Ogbetuo; and Poineer National Secretary, TROMPCON, Prince Maikpobi Okareme.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Sheriff said they had to call another press conference after their May 22, 2023, media engagement on the alleged deliberate efforts “by the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who governed the oil-rich state from 2015–2023 and received the 13% oil derivation funds for 8 years amounting to over N1.2 trillion meant for the physical development of our oil-producing communities in Delta State, to truncate the arm of justice.”
