Sunday, September 20, 2026

EFCC arrests ex-Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa over N1.3 trillion oil derivation fraud

The vice presidential candidate was accused of using the loot to acquire massive shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company, among other investments in the oil sector.

• November 4, 2024
Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa
Ifeanyi Okowa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested Ifeanyi Okowa, Peoples Gazette heard on Monday. 

Officials said that the former Delta governor was taken into custody at the Port-Harcourt division of the anti-graft office. Spokesman Dele Oyewole confirmed the detention of the politician to The Gazette by telephone.

Mr Okowa, vice-presidential candidate to former vice-president Atiku Abubakar on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, was said to have used his office as governor to loot and acquire assets up to N1.3 trillion.

Some of the assets included massive shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company, among other investments in the oil sector. 

It was unclear whether or not Mr Okowa had contacted his lawyer. A spokesman for the former governor did not immediately return a request seeking comments from The Gazette about the development. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria

Health

PSN urges FG to strengthen drug regulation, distribution system

Ms Bello also urged Nigerians to obtain medicines from licensed pharmacies rather than open markets and unlicensed drug sellers.

Kogi road crash

States

Six died,‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‌⁠‌⁠‌ two injured in Kogi road crash: FRSC

The Kogi Sector Commander of the FRSC, Lawal Fagge, said six persons lost their lives, and two others sustained injuries in an accident on the Kabba-Odo-Ape road.

Fufu

Heading 2

Lagos residents raise concerns over unsafe fufu preparation, preservation

Some consumers have gradually stopped eating fufu made in Lagos because of concerns about its preparation, preservation, and possible food poisoning.

925 Borno forest guards

States

Insecurity: Army trains 925 Borno forest guards 

The training was designed to equip the forest guards with basic military skills and enable them to provide auxiliary support to troops fighting terrorism and insurgency.

Internet fraudster

Abuja

FCT youths blame unemployment, peer pressure for internet fraud

Some youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) attributed their involvement in internet fraud to unemployment and peer pressure.