The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that it has abandoned the corruption probe of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, following his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this year.
In a statement made through the Commission’s Director of Legal and Prosecution, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede’s second anniversary in office, the agency maintained that the investigation into the alleged diversion of ₦1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds by the former governor remains ongoing.
The clarification comes amid mounting public criticism and accusations that the EFCC had gone silent on Okowa’s case since his defection to the APC in April 2025, alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Okowa was reportedly arrested in November 2024 over allegations of massive fraud linked to the mismanagement of oil derivation funds meant for the development of the Niger Delta region. However, the EFCC’s muted response and lack of visible progress in the case since then have fuelled widespread suspicions of political interference.
“Someone asked the question that it is alleged that politicians who jump ship to the ruling party are shielded. The simple answer is that it’s not true,” Tahir 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.”
While declining to give a timeline for the conclusion of the investigation, Tahir defended the agency’s pace, insisting that the EFCC preferred “a thorough job” over rushed prosecutions that collapse in court.
“We have had situations where cases were rushed to court, and the outcomes were not always good. So we would like to do a thorough job. When we go to court, Nigerians will see what the case is all about,” he explained.
Tahir also rejected claims that the EFCC shields politically connected figures after they join the ruling party, insisting that the agency operates independently and without political bias.
“There’s no attempt or intention anywhere to shield anybody on account of switching parties — certainly not under this chairman,” he stressed.
However, critics argue that the EFCC’s credibility has been badly dented under the current administration, with several high-profile cases against politically exposed persons appearing to stall once the accused realign with the ruling establishment.
The Commission’s inability to secure notable convictions of former governors, despite numerous corruption allegations, has further deepened public scepticism about its impartiality and effectiveness.
Addressing that concern, Tahir admitted that prosecuting politically powerful individuals is a daunting task but maintained that the agency remains committed to upholding the law.
“Crime is crime. But going after powerful figures, especially former governors, is not a tea party,” he said.
The Okowa probe remains one of the most closely watched corruption investigations in recent years, given the sheer scale of the alleged diversion and the former governor’s political influence.
Observers say the EFCC’s handling of the case could serve as a litmus test for Olukoyede’s promise to restore public confidence in the agency’s independence and effectiveness in fighting grand corruption.