A significant development has emerged surrounding former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, amid ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Credible sources suggest that the former governor has discreetly returned over ₦500 billion to the Delta State Government in what appears to be a calculated move to avoid prosecution and reassert political influence.
According to The Trumpet, the refund was made under the radar as part of a confidential arrangement aimed at staving off legal consequences and possibly negotiating a soft landing with anti-graft authorities.
During a recent interview on Arise TV, Okowa responded confidently to questions about his rumored defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the suggestion that it was a ploy to gain political immunity.
“I have not committed any sin,” Okowa declared. “There is no sin to be forgiven. I was never arrested by the EFCC. I merely honoured an invitation by the agency. Anyone can write a petition, but it is the EFCC’s duty to investigate.”
However, a former senior member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the APC alongside Okowa and the current governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has revealed that a secret agreement facilitated the quiet return of misappropriated funds.
The insider disclosed that the reimbursement of over ₦500 billion has significantly enhanced the financial standing of the Oborevwori administration, enabling it to execute large-scale infrastructure projects without recourse to borrowing.
“The truth is, Okowa controlled the PDP machinery with an iron grip,” the source noted during a private caucus meeting.
“The move to the APC was more strategic than ideological. It was necessary to break his dominance and neutralize his hold on the state’s political landscape.”
The same source added that the refund was not just a moral or legal decision but part of a broader power recalibration within Delta politics.
It reportedly came to light during internal deliberations leading up to the mass defection, as party stakeholders discussed the shifting dynamics and real motivations behind the move.
The revelation has sparked intense debate among political observers and the public alike.
While the returned funds have enabled a wave of capital projects, some already reportedly mobilized up to 40%, the question remains whether the act of refunding looted funds absolves public officials of accountability under Nigerian law.
Analysts also point to the potential implications for anti-corruption efforts in the country.
If indeed such a large sum was returned quietly without prosecution or formal acknowledgment, it may set a troubling precedent: that powerful individuals can negotiate their way out of scrutiny through backchannel settlements.
At the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the EFCC confirming or denying the alleged refund.
Likewise, the Delta State Government has remained silent on the matter.
Whether this alleged act of restitution will shield Okowa from further investigation or consequences remains to be seen, but the development has undoubtedly added a new layer of intrigue to the state’s shifting political terrain.
As of press time, text and WhatsApp messages sent to the Commissioner for Works and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Fidelis Tilije, went unanswered.
Likewise, the EFCC Spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale, did not respond to our text message inquiry regarding the reportedly returned funds.
