The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it is still probing former Delta Governor and ex-vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, despite his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Okowa is being prosecuted by the EFCC for N1.3 trillion fraud, which allegedly occurred during his tenure as governor of Delta State.

Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, EFCC’s director of legal and prosecution, speaking on Thursday during a media briefing to mark the second anniversary of the commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, addressed allegations that politicians who join the ruling party are shielded from prosecution. He said, “I think the reference was made to the case of a former governor of Delta State. To the best of my knowledge, that case is still undergoing investigation. And in due course, justice will be served.”

In April this year, Mr Okowa, alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, incumbent commissioners, local government chairpersons and PDP leaders in Delta state defected to the ruling APC.

There were suggestions that the defection may be part of a deal with the ruling party to stop the former governor’s probe by the EFCC.

“I can’t recall of anybody who, because of switching allegiance or switching party camp, is shielded by the commission. Certainly not under this chairman. If we are patient, you know, it takes time to do thorough investigations,” he added.

Mr Tahir further noted that the EFCC has had situations whereby cases were rushed to court and the outcomes were not always good.

“So we would like to do a diligent job. When we go to court, Nigerians will see what the case is all about,” he noted, adding that “but certainly there’s no attempt, no intention anywhere to shield anybody on account of switching parties.”