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Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has reportedly approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment while investigations into alleged financial misconduct against him continue.
Sources within the anti-graft agency disclosed that the former governor recently visited the EFCC office on Awolowo Road in Lagos as part of ongoing engagements with investigators handling his case. According to the sources, the visit was not related to a fresh arrest but was connected to discussions surrounding the release of his travel document.
One source familiar with the matter explained that Okowa’s request was specifically tied to health concerns requiring medical attention outside Nigeria.
“He was not arrested. He visited the commission’s Lagos office as part of the ongoing investigation into his case and also made moves to secure the release of his international passport to attend to some medical issues abroad,” the source disclosed.
As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether the former governor’s request had been approved by the EFCC or whether the passport had been released.
Attempts to obtain an official response from the anti-graft agency were unsuccessful, as EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to calls seeking clarification on the matter.
Okowa has remained under investigation since his arrest on November 4, 2024, over allegations involving the management of funds received by Delta State during his tenure as governor.
The EFCC is investigating claims that approximately N1.3 trillion in 13 per cent derivation funds allocated to the state between 2015 and 2023 was diverted. The commission is also probing allegations that another N40 billion was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas and a major commercial bank without proper accountability.
Following his arrest in Port Harcourt, the former governor was questioned by investigators and later granted administrative bail after meeting conditions set by the commission. Since then, his international passport has reportedly remained in the custody of the EFCC as investigations continue.
Okowa has consistently denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the allegations as unrealistic and exaggerated. Responding to the accusations shortly after his release, he argued that the figures being mentioned were implausible.
According to him, diverting N1.3 trillion would imply illegally taking between N16 billion and N20 billion every month throughout his administration, a claim he described as impossible.
The former governor also pointed to the financial challenges faced by Delta State during the early years of his administration, noting that government revenues at the time were often insufficient to meet salary obligations.
Despite his denials, the EFCC has continued its investigation into the allegations, with no formal charges announced publicly as of now. The latest development regarding his request for the release of his passport is expected to draw attention as authorities weigh the balance between ongoing investigations and humanitarian considerations related to medical treatment.
The outcome of the request could determine whether the former governor is permitted to travel abroad while the anti-corruption agency continues its inquiry into one of the most significant financial investigations involving a former state governor in recent years.
