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N1.3tn Fraud: Okowa Spends Second Night in EFCC Custody

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The former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, is still being held at the Port Harcourt, Rivers State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This makes it his second night in the custody of the anti-graft agency.

This is as the Delta State chapter of All Progressives Congress backed the detention of the former governor, describing it as a positive step in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption.

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Okowa, who was the running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, reported at the EFCC office, following an invitation by investigators over the alleged diversion of N1.3trn.

He was subsequently arrested and detained.

READ ALSO: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Governor, Okowa Over Alleged Fraud

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Sources said the former governor was also accused of failing to give accounts of another N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

One of the sources said, “He was also accused of failing to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

“He also allegedly bought shares of N40bn in one of the major banks in the country, representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG. The funds were alleged to be used for other purposes.

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“Investigators are also investigating the diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta State.”

READ ALSO: EFCC Arrests Edo Accountant General, Two Other Officials Over Huge Withdrawals

However, a source familiar with the matter told our correspondent on Tuesday that the former governor was yet to be released because of the quantum of the allegations against him.

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The source added that Okowa was earlier in the day confronted with the allegations.

“We are still keeping him, he is still with us. The investigation is ongoing and earlier, he was confronted with some of the allegations against him.

“We are still keeping him because of the quantum of the allegations and amount involved. We want him to respond to the allegations,” the source said.

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The Delta APC State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, in a statement on Tuesday, urged the EFCC to continue its investigation into the financial dealings of other former governors and public officials.

READ ALSO: 4 Ex-govs, 2 Ex-ministers Charged As EFCC Recovers N248bn, Foreign Assets

The statement partly read: “We in the APC wholeheartedly welcome the arrest of the former governor, who oversaw one of the most concerning cases of financial mismanagement during his eight-year tenure.

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“His administration allegedly funnelled significant state resources into personal ventures, including establishing a bank, financing a failed presidential ambition, and supporting the controversial imposition of a successor.

“The arrest serves as a caution to all public officeholders, affirming that the era of impunity is over and that no one, irrespective of position or political affiliation, is above the law.”

It added that “The legacy of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration is a high debt profile resulting from a reckless borrowing spree, which earned him the notorious nickname of ‘Borrow Borrow Governor’.

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”During his eight years in office, Delta State has little to show for the vast federal allocations received. The few substandard roads he constructed often hailed as the ‘roadmaster,’ have deteriorated rapidly.”

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Court Bars CCETC From Entering Ossiomo Land, Using Its Property

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An Edo State High Court in Benin has restrained Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) from entering the land of Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited pending the hearing and determination of motion of notice.

Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli—vacation judge, gave the restraining order in an ex-perte motion filed before the Honourable Court by Emmanuel Usoh, counsel to Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited.

In the suit marked: B/242/2025, Ossiomo Investment Limited, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited, Ossiomo Offsites and Utility Limited, Quadrant Gas Development Company Limited are the claimants while Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) stands as defendant.

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Usoh had, on behalf of Ossiomo Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited, approached the court, sought an interim injunction restraining CCETC from gaining access to the land or utilising any property belonging to the claimant.

READ ALSO:Ossiomo Restores Power To Customers After Barely Two Weeks Outage

Usoh sought an interim order restraining “the Defendant whether by itself, agents, representatives, Directors, staff, privies assigns, or anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described from parading itself as a member or a shareholder of the 2nd Claimant or relying o using the Joint Venture Agreement pending the hearing and determination o the Motion on Notice.”

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In the enrollment of order dated September 11, 2025, Justice Itsueli, said having “given a most careful consideration to the application, supporting affidavit and annexures, I am minded to grant the interim order of injunction.”

The vacation judge, therefore, ordered that, “The Defendant whether by itself, privies, assigns and anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described are restrained from accessing, utilizing the infrastructure of the Claimants including the 33KVA lines, gas engines and gas infrastructure built by the Claimants to supply gas to the power plant and generate electricity supply whether by bulk sales or transmission to corporate entities or individuals in Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.”

Hon. Itsueli also ordered “the Defendant whether by itself, agents, representatives, Directors, staff, privies, assigns, or anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described are restrained from parading themselves member or shareholder of the 2nd Claimant or relying or using the Joint Venture Agreement pending the pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.”

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READ ALSO:Ossiomo, Chinese Impasse: This Is Our Story — Management

Recall that Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited and CCETC have been in ownership tussle which led to the power plant being shut down on September 1, 2025.

Speaking during a press briefing on the latest in the power tussle between Ossiomo and its investment partners, Usoh said, CCETC, having aware of the restraining order, had so far approached the arbitrary panel in Singapore.

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He said: “CCETC, being aware of the restraining order, also immediately approached the arbitrary panel for arbitration in Singapore. The rationale behind this update is for the whole world to know that Singapore, being the seat of economics arbitration globally, is aware of the issues happening between Ossiomo and CCETC. We had the opportunity of seeing the copy of the arbitration, and we are replying accordingly.”

On Ossiomo and Edo State Government, Usoh disclosed: “Our relationship with the Edo State Government is what we call Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Ossiomo develops power and sells to Edo State Government at market value. They are our landlord, we cannot owe grudge against the government. My appeal to the government is to do business with us so that everyone in Edo will benefit.”

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IPF Celebrates Otuaro On His Birthday Anniversary

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The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has felicitated with Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, on the occasion of his birthday.

A statement issued by the secretary of the body, Tare Magbei, commended Otuaro for his “steady leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,” which according to the forum has “continued to strengthen peace, rehabilitation, and development in the Niger Delta.”

READ ALSO: Otuaro Lauds Tinubu For Backing PAP’s Peacebuilding Process In Niger Delta

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Your efforts in providing opportunities for ex-agitators and in advancing stability across the region stand as clear evidence of your dedication to the people and progress of our land.

“As you mark this new year of life, we join your family, friends, and well-wishers in praying for good health, wisdom, and greater success in the service of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.”

 

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JUST IN: Okpehbolo Appoints New VC For AAU

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Edo State governor, Monday Okpehbolo, has approved the appointment of Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie as the new Vice-Chancellor of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

A statement issued late night by Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said her appointment takes immediate effect.

According to the statement, Prof. Omonzejie was appointed amongst the three names submitted by the Governing Council of the university to the state government.

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READ ALSO: Okpebholo Approves Construction Of 500-room Hostel For AAU

The statement partly reads, “Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie
Professor Omonzejie is a distinguished scholar of French and Francophone African Literatures and a long-serving academic in the Department of Modern Languages at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“She is a prolific researcher and editor, with contributions to African and Francophone literary studies, gender studies, and cultural studies.

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“She has served as the President of the Ambrose Alli University Chapter of the National Association of Women Academics (NAWACS), where she has championed mentoring, research, and advocacy for female academics and students.

“Professor Omonzejie has co-edited several seminal works including French Language in Nigeria: Essays in Honour of UFTAN Pacesetters and Language Matters in Contemporary West Africa, and is the author of Women Novelists in Francophone Black Africa: Views, Reviews and Interviews,” the statement added.

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