THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared that the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption involving former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa remains active, dismissing speculations that the ex-governor is being shielded following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
News Point Nigeria reports that the anti-graft agency emphasised that no politically exposed person or public figure enjoys immunity from investigation or prosecution on account of party affiliation.
Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, made this clarification at a press briefing held in Abuja to commemorate his second anniversary in office.
Daily Trust had earlier reported that Okowa was arrested in November 2024 over alleged diversion of ₦1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds during his tenure as governor of Delta State.
In April 2025, Okowa and his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC, a move that immediately triggered public criticism and accusations that the EFCC had gone silent on their cases.
However, speaking through the EFCC’s Director of Legal and Prosecution, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), Olukoyede described such claims as “baseless and misleading,” stressing that the agency remains politically neutral and guided solely by the law.
“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.”
Tahir explained that the EFCC avoids rushing politically sensitive or high-profile cases to court to prevent procedural errors that could jeopardize prosecutions.
“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 stated.
He further emphasised that defection to the ruling party offers no protection from anti-corruption scrutiny.
“There’s no attempt or intention anywhere to shield anybody on account of switching parties certainly not under this chairman,” he declared.
Reacting to criticisms that the EFCC has not secured enough high-profile convictions, Tahir maintained that all cases regardless of the individuals involved, receive equal attention.
“It’s been claimed that there are no high-profile convictions. Well, the simple answer is that for us here, crime is crime. When you are dealing with politically exposed persons, it is not a tea party. It takes time,” he said.
He added that investigations involving governors or top officials who controlled vast state resources for years cannot be concluded hastily, reiterating that the EFCC remains committed to transparency, fairness, and accountability in all its operations.