EFCC seizes Okowa’s passport, restricts him from leaving Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has restricted former Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa from leaving the country, seizing his passport as part of his bail conditions.

Okowa was reportedly detained by the EFCC last week over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in public funds and was granted administrative bail on Sunday.

The EFCC allegedly summoned Okowa to its Port Harcourt office last Monday, where he was detained in connection with funds allocated to oil-producing states under the 13% derivation formula. The funds, reportedly misappropriated between 2015 and 2023 during Okowa’s tenure as governor, have raised considerable public concern.

Confirming the passport seizure, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale told The Guardian that “it is standard practice for law enforcement agencies to retain passports and other documents as part of bail conditions pending the conclusion of investigations.”

Oyewale added, “When you grant someone bail, it’s routine to request their international passport along with other conditions. It is normal.”

In a related development, Okowa has asserted that the EFCC’s investigation over the alleged N1.3 trillion oil derivation funds is politically motivated. Naija News reports that Okowa made this claim during a visit from the leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) at his residence in Asaba, Delta State.