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By Olomu Onyiye

Many discerning Nigerians are now recognizing the calculated attempts by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s detractors to tarnish his name, as they orchestrated his recent summons by the EFCC in Port Harcourt.

When I first saw the charges against him, I knew something was off. How could they accuse a man who has always upheld due process—one of the first governors to establish an independent State Tenders Board—of such massive misappropriation? The claim that Dr. Okowa embezzled a staggering N1.3 trillion over his eight-year tenure was, frankly, absurd. That figure alone represented over half of Delta State’s cumulative revenue of N2.3 trillion. For anyone to suggest that one man could siphon that much from a state is an insult to reason and an underestimation of the intelligence of Nigerians. Not even the Federal Government would withstand such a massive theft, let alone one state.

To further understand the absurdity, consider that Delta State has one of the largest civil services in the country, second only to Lagos. The monthly payroll, drawn from both IGR and FAAC, consumes over 40% of the state’s income. Yet, under Dr. Okowa, no worker was left unpaid, not even once. Arrears for pensioners and other beneficiaries were consistently cleared. His administration made significant strides in infrastructure, with even his harshest critics begrudgingly acknowledging his achievements. To think he could siphon half of the state’s earnings while delivering on so many fronts shows the folly in these accusations.

It appears that Dr. Okowa’s accusers, along with complicit media voices, aimed not for justice but for character assassination. The EFCC hadn’t even issued an official statement before rumors and allegations flooded the media, fueled by those eager to smear his hard-earned reputation. The initial allegation of N1.3 trillion has now been reduced to N40 billion, exposing their desperation and lack of credibility. This frenzy of baseless media trials and premature celebration was as unjust as it was unnecessary.

Dr. Okowa isn’t the first ex-governor to be invited by the EFCC, nor will he be the last. The agency’s chairman intervened to ensure that the due process was respected. Yet, Dr. Okowa’s accusers seem fixated on pushing the narrative of an “arrest,” despite him merely being invited, not detained or forcefully taken into custody.

Perhaps these detractors would have been pleased to see EFCC operatives storming his residence, guns drawn, in a dramatic scene more befitting of an action movie than a legitimate inquiry. But the EFCC, under its current leadership, has shown restraint and professionalism—a stark contrast to what Dr. Okowa’s enemies had hoped to witness.

While the EFCC remains committed to transparency and due process, Nigerians must ask themselves why certain individuals are so keen on turning a mere invitation into a scandal. This sensationalism benefits no one but those who thrive on discord and division. The agency’s fair handling of Dr. Okowa’s case speaks volumes and will hopefully remind Nigerians that justice does not need to be loud or brash to be effective.