The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied allegations that it is providing a cover for a former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, after he defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The anti-graft agency, in a desperate attempt to salvage its fast-eroding credibility, insisted that its investigation into Okowa for the alleged looting of a staggering N1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds is still “active.”
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the clarification through his Director of Legal and Prosecution, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), during a press briefing to mark his second anniversary in office on Wednesday.
This comes after widespread public outcry and accusations from Nigerians that the commission had developed a sudden loss of memory regarding Okowa’s case following his high-profile defection to the APC in April 2025 alongside his successor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Okowa was arrested by the EFCC in November 2024 over the massive fraud allegation but has since enjoyed a conspicuous silence from the agency after joining the ruling party.
Pushing back against the mounting criticism, Tahir claimed the agency operates without political bias.
“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 stated.
“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,” he added, offering no timeline for when the long-drawn “investigation” would conclude.
Tahir defended the agency’s slow pace, arguing that they prefer a “thorough job” to avoid the embarrassment of rushed cases that fall apart 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 said.
He further insisted that “there’s no attempt or intention anywhere to shield anybody on account of switching parties — certainly not under this chairman,” a statement that contrasts sharply with the public’s perception of the EFCC’s record under the current administration.
Addressing the lack of high-profile convictions, a key stain on the commission’s record, Tahir claimed that “crime is crime,” and that prosecuting powerful figures like governors is “not a tea party.”
