The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has banned the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, from travelling outside the country following the seizure of his passport after the perfection of his bail conditions.
It will be recalled that the anti-graft agency reportedly arrested and detained Okowa last week for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion in public funds, but he was granted administrative bail on Sunday.
It was reported on Wednesday, November 13, that Okowa’s passport was allegedly seized by the EFCC as part of his bail condition.
Confirming the development, the EFCC spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said it is the normal practice for law enforcement agencies to seize passports and other relevant documents pending the conclusion of investigations.
He said: “That is normal practice in law enforcement; when you grant somebody bail, you ask for the person’s international passport and some other conditions. It is normal.”
Okowa was arrested last Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, when he reported at the EFCC office following an invitation extended to him for the alleged diversion of funds, which was part of a 13 per cent derivation fund earmarked for oil-producing states.
He was said to have allegedly diverted the money between 2015 and 2023 when he was the governor of Delta State.
Earlier, it was reported that the Delta State government responded to the arrest of Okowa by the EFCC, asserting his innocence and urging citizens to remain calm. Barr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe stressed that an arrest does not equal guilt and called for Deltans to pray for Okowa during this difficult time. Oghenesivbe noted that EFCC’s actions follow standard legal procedures and encouraged patience as the legal process unfolds.
