Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Delta State’s Accountant General, Mrs. Joy Enwa, as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion during the tenure of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The EFCC’s investigation focuses on alleged mismanagement of funds, including the 13 percent derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states. Okowa, who served as Delta State governor and was the vice presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, was detained by the anti-graft agency in November 2024 at its Port Harcourt office.
The EFCC has accused Okowa of using his position as governor to loot state funds, allegedly investing in assets such as shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other ventures in the oil sector.
Mrs. Enwa’s arrest last week adds to a growing list of Delta State officials implicated in the investigation. Alongside Enwa, the EFCC also detained a former director of finance and administration (DFA) and the director of administration at the Government House. The individuals were questioned and reportedly provided separate statements before being released.
This is not the first controversy surrounding Enwa. In 2015, she was implicated in a N369 million fraud case alongside her predecessor, Cyril Agbele, and other state officials. At the time, they were accused of colluding to defraud the Delta State government days before the end of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration. Enwa denied the allegations.
Enwa was appointed as Delta State’s Accountant General in April 2020 by Governor Okowa, taking over from Agbele. When contacted for comment on her recent arrest, Enwa declined to provide details, suggesting that inquiries be directed to the EFCC.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed her arrest and temporary detention, along with other officials, in connection with the ongoing probe. “Yes, the Accountant General was arrested and detained by the commission for some days before she was released. We also arrested some officials of the state government, but they have been released as well,” he stated.
The investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds in Delta State highlights the EFCC’s intensified efforts to address corruption in public office. Further developments are expected as the commission continues its probe.
