‘N1.7trn misappropriation’: Okowa used Delta’s resources to develop the state, aide replies Edwin Clark

Olisa Ifeajika, former chief press secretary to Ifeanyi Okowa, says the immediate-past governor of Delta, did not “embezzle” the resources of the state.

Responding to allegations made by Edwin Clark, Ifeajika, in a press conference on Thursday, said Okowa was transparent in the use of derivation funds for projects.

BACKGROUND

On Wednesday, Clark, convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that Okowa misappropriated the state’s derivation funds amounting to N1.760 trillion.

In an interview with Arise TV, Clark said he had written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the involvement of Okowa in the floating of Premium Bank, which he allegedly used to lodge all the derivation funds.

He added that Okowa sidelined the Delta state oil producing areas development commission (DESOPADEC).

DESOPADEC is an interventionist agency established to manage a 13 percent oil derivation fund meant to drive infrastructural development in the oil-producing communities.

Okowa was the governor of Delta from 2015 to 2023.

He was the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election.

‘MY PRINCIPAL DIDN’T HAVE A BANK’

Reacting to the claim of ownership of a bank, Ifeajika said Okowa has no personal business with Premium Bank, adding that no member of the former governor’s family has a link with the bank.

The former media aide denied allegations that Okowa diverted a N150 billion loan to the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign council.

“Okowa had earlier told the world that he has no personal business with the bank and no member of his family has any link with the bank,” he said.

“That a certain Okowa is a staff member of the bank is his right to work in any bank and not because the bank is owned by Okowa’s family.

“The man started his banking career years ago in some other banks before going to Zenith Bank and now Premium Trust Bank.

“It took the ingenuity of commissioners for finance in oil-producing states in the Niger Delta led by our own former commissioner for finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, to unearth the discrepancies.

“What was owed Delta was N240 billion, which the federal government agreed to pay in four quarterly installments for five years.

“We are aware that some states including Rivers, discounted and collected all their monies and started spending but because Okowa believes in the rule of law, due process, and diligence, he went to the House of Assembly to get approval to use part of the funds for some critical projects from the quarterly installment refunds.

“At a media briefing shortly before he left office, Okowa told the press that only N91bn was accessed from the N100 billion bridging finance request.

“It is, therefore, erroneous to assume that Okowa collected N150bn loan. The money that accrued to the state was used to develop the state and the records are there.”