The former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to prosecute people who write frivolous petitions.
Okowa made the call on Wednesday evening in Asaba, when the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, led the people of Anioma, in Delta North Senatorial District to pay him a solidarity visit.
Okowa stated that once the EFCC establishes that a petition is frivolous, they should go after the author or authors of such a petition and prosecute them.
He disclosed that most of the allegations leveled against him before the EFCC were frivolous and thanked the people of Anioma for the solidarity visit.
“I want to say that the petitions against me before the EFCC are frivolous and those who are involved in such petitions should also be investigated, so that if they are found wanting, the EFCC should charge them court.
“I am actually very happy and elated seeing you here today; my heart is now at peace because since the unfortunate incident, about two weeks ago, I have received so many visitors, but this visit is very unique to me.
“I have actually received key people here, apart from the leaders of the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU), leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, CAN and others have come to show solidarity, but unfortunately, some people have criticized the UPU for visiting me.
“That shows that there are some people behind the problem; the traditional rulers council of this state led by the Orodje of Okpe has come to visit me. This is my family because I am a politician and what you have done today, has given me peace of mind.
“I have said that I am not afraid to be probed or investigated. I may not be a saint, but I know that I went to Government House as a governor with the full hope and desire to work with the people, to give the best to ourselves and the state within the limit of our resources, to achieve the best we can achieve in a very difficult circumstance in the state for eight years.
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“The petition that is against me is very frivolous; how can somebody say that somebody misappropriated the sum of N1.3 trillion? That is to say that somebody misappropriated the sum of N16 billion every month and unfortunately, some people out there believe this.
“The EFCC has the mandate to investigate anybody and I have nothing against them for doing their job; I want to assure you that I am not disturbed, I have my peace of mind and your visit has added to my peace. I want to thank you for this show of love, and may God continue to bless you,” Okowa stated.
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, had told Okowa that the people of Delta North were solidly behind him.
Onyeme said that the former governor used his office to transform the state, stating that”we, the entire leadership of the Anioma people are here to see you because everyone of us is aware of the happenings surrounding you in recent times and we felt that we should let you know that we are very proud of you.
“Your administration in a lot of ways, ensured even development of our state. Most of us have been in Asaba for over 30 years, and we know the difference between Asaba of yesterday and the Asaba of today; we know the development that took place in Asaba during your time.
“As a people, we can go to any part of Nigeria and hold our heads high; when we look at the civil service, we can say yes we have the best state secretariat, our youths are better off now. We are very proud of you and we are solidly behind you and we will go with you to any length.
“So, we say that we we are solidly behind you, hence, we have come to pledge our solidarity to you.”
