Okowa Denies Refunding ₦500 Billion to Evade EFCC Prosecution

Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has refuted claims that he refunded over ₦500 billion to the state government in a bid to avoid prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The allegations, which sparked widespread speculation across Delta State, suggested Okowa secretly returned the funds to secure a soft landing with anti-graft authorities and maintain political influence.

Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olise Ifeajirika, dismissed the rumors as “false and baseless” in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s not true that my boss, Okowa, returned such money. The EFCC is at liberty to do its job,” Ifeajirika said. He clarified that Okowa was invited by the EFCC, presented with documents, and responded accordingly. “The investigation is still ongoing. Only when it is concluded and a case is established can issues of refunds or prosecution arise,” he added.

The rumors gained traction following Okowa’s defection, alongside his political mentee, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The high-profile switch, which included Oborevwori’s deputy, Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and PDP grassroots structures, was formalized after a closed-door meeting in Asaba on April 23, 2025. This marked the first time a sitting Delta State governor defected from the PDP since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

The defection, led by Okowa—who ran as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2023—has been interpreted as a strategic move to evade EFCC scrutiny, fueling further speculation about the alleged refund.

In a related development, Governor Oborevwori met with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. Arriving unaccompanied at 3:45 p.m., Oborevwori held a closed-door session with the President, marking their first meeting since his defection to the APC.

The EFCC has yet to comment on the status of its investigation into Okowa or other Delta State officials.