EFCC arrests Delta Accountant General over alleged N1.3trn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Mrs Joy Enwa, the Accountant General of Delta State, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion linked to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The EFCC is investigating funds reportedly diverted from the 13 percent derivation allocation intended for oil-producing states. Alongside Mrs Enwa, the anti-graft agency has questioned other officials, including a former Director of Finance and Administration and a senior Government House staff member.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest, stating, “Mrs Enwa was detained for questioning over the ongoing investigation into the mismanagement of state funds under the former administration. Some other government officials have also been interrogated.”

Mrs Enwa, who was appointed Accountant General by Okowa in 2020, previously served as Deputy Accountant General under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. She had earlier faced allegations of involvement in a N369 million fraud case in 2015, which implicated other state officials and bank representatives.

The ongoing investigation has also uncovered assets allegedly tied to the fraud, including shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and investments in the oil sector.

Former Governor Okowa was detained by the EFCC in November at the agency’s Port Harcourt office over accusations of diverting state funds for personal enrichment.

When approached for comments, Mrs Enwa declined to elaborate, saying, “I am not the right source to confirm this story. Please contact the EFCC for clarification.” The EFCC continues its probe into what could be one of the largest financial scandals in Delta State’s history.