In a jaw-dropping twist that has rocked Delta State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Mrs. Joy Enwa, the state’s Accountant General, over her alleged involvement in the diversion of a staggering N1.3 trillion in state funds. This shocking revelation ties back to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, now under intense scrutiny for allegedly siphoning funds meant for the state’s development.
The funds in question stem from the 13 percent derivation allocated to oil-rich states. Rather than being channeled into critical development projects, the money was reportedly diverted during Okowa’s administration. Okowa, who served as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, was detained by the EFCC in November at its Port Harcourt office, further intensifying public outrage.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed that Okowa allegedly used his influence as governor to funnel public funds into personal ventures. These include substantial investments in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other lucrative oil and gas projects, raising questions about unchecked financial malpractice at the highest levels of governance.
Mrs. Enwa is not the only official under fire. The EFCC has also detained several high-ranking Delta State officials, including a former director of finance and administration and the director of administration at the Government House. All are being grilled for their alleged roles in enabling the massive financial fraud during Okowa’s tenure.
This isn’t the first time Mrs. Enwa’s name has surfaced in connection with financial impropriety. In 2015, she was implicated in a N369 million fraud case involving former Accountant General Cyril Agbele. The scandal, marked by suspicious withdrawals from state coffers, remains an indelible blot on Delta State’s financial history.
The 2020 appointment of Mrs. Enwa as Accountant General by Okowa now appears controversial, with critics questioning the judgment behind entrusting such a position to an official with a tainted record.
The arrest has sparked a firestorm of reactions across Delta State. Civil society organizations and concerned citizens are demanding transparency and justice. Many are particularly outraged by the alleged misuse of funds meant to benefit oil-producing communities.
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“This is an eye-opener for all Deltans,” said activist James Ufuoma. “The 13 percent derivation fund is a lifeline for our communities, not a personal piggy bank for politicians and their cronies.”
The EFCC has assured Nigerians of a thorough investigation, promising to bring all culprits to justice. While Mrs. Enwa and other suspects have been released on bail, the commission remains steadfast in its efforts to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud.
As Delta State reels from this unfolding scandal, the case is widely seen as a litmus test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption machinery. For many, this is more than a legal battle—it’s a fight for accountability, justice, and the future of a state long plagued by mismanagement.
