Okowa Seeks Return of Passport From EFCC for Overseas Medical Treatment

(Ifeanyi Okowa. Photo by Parallel Facts)

Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has reportedly approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking the return of his international passport, which has been held by the anti-graft agency since his arr£st in November 2024.

Sources familiar with the development said Okowa visited the commission's office in Lagos as part of ongoing discussions about retrieving his travel document to enable him seek medical attention abroad. It was not immediately clear whether the request was granted.

The EFCC has retained Okowa's passport since his arr£st on November 4, 2024, over allegations that he diverted ₦1.3 trillion in 13 per cent derivation funds received by Delta State from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.

The commission is also investigating allegations that he failed to account for the funds and that another ₦40 billion was allegedly used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas and a major commercial bank.

Okowa was arr£sted in Port Harcourt and later released on bail after meeting the conditions set by the commission.

He has since denied the allegations, questioning the plausibility of the figures cited.

"To successfully take ₦1.3 trillion, it means you have to be taking between ₦16 billion and ₦20 billion every month into your pocket.

I don't even know if the President of this country will be able to do that, not to talk of the governor of Delta State," he said at the time.

The EFCC did not respond to requests for comment, and efforts to reach the former governor through an associate were also unsuccessful.