The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, CON, has called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to prosecute people who write frivolous petitions.
Okowa made the call on Wednesday in Asaba when the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, led the people of Anioma, that is, Delta North Senatorial District to pay him a solidarity visit.
According to Sen. Okowa, once the EFCC establishes that a petition is frivolous, they should go after the author or authors of such petition and prosecute them.
He disclosed that most of the allegations leveled against him before the EFCC were frivolous and thanked the people of Anioma for the solidarity visit.
He said, ‘I want to say that the petitions against me before the EFCC are frivolous and those who are involved in such petitions should also be investigated so that if they are found wanting, EFCC should charge them court.”
Sen. Okowa thanked the people of Delta North for the visit, stating, “I am actually very happy and elated seeing you here today; my heart is now at peace because since the unfortunate incident, about two weeks ago, I have received so many visitors, but this visit is very unique to me.
“I have actually received key people here, apart from the leaders of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, CAN and others have come to show solidarity, but unfortunately, some people have criticized the UPU for visiting me.
“That shows that there are some people behind the problem; the traditional rulers council of this state led by the Orodje of Okpe has come to visit me
“This is my family because I am a politician and what you have done today has given me peace of mind.
“I have said that I am not afraid to be probed or investigated, I may not be a saint, but I know that I went to Government House as a governor with the full hope and desire to work with the people, to give the best to ourselves and the state within the limit of our resources to achieve the best we can achieve in a very difficult circumstances in the state for eight years.
“I still remembered that we had a very difficult period for the first two and half years, from May 29, 2015 to the end of September, 2017 where the whole resources of the state put together cannot pay salaries of workers.
“We had to sit down and come to agreement that workers had to receive half salaries for two and half years but by the grace of God, after the period, we started paying full salaries and backlog of pension arrears.
“We had over hundred billion arrears of pension and I want to tell you that I am not afraid of the media trial, neither am I afraid of investigation.
“The petition that is against me is very frivolous; how can somebody says that somebody misappropriated the sum of 1.3 trillion naira? That is to say that somebody misappropriated the sum of 16 billion naira every month and unfortunately, some people out there believe this.
“The salaries the pension arrears that we paid, the loans that we took and also paid; we paid a lot of money, the ones we met and the ones we took and paid.
“The EFCC has the mandate to investigate anybody and I have nothing against them for doing their job; I want to assure you that I am not disturbed, I have my peace of mind and your visit has added to my peace.
“I want to thank you for this show of love, and may God continue to bless you.”
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, had told Sen. Okowa that the people of Delta North are solidly behind him.
Onyeme said that the former Governor used his office to transform the state, stating, “we, the entire leadership of the Anioma people are here to see you because everyone of us is aware of the happenings surrounding you in recent times and we felt that we should let you know that we are very proud of you.
“Your administration in a lot of ways, ensured even development of our state.
“Most of us have been in Asaba for over thirty years, and we know the difference between Asaba of yesterday and Asaba of today; we know the development that took place in Asaba during your time.
“As a people, we can go to any part of Nigeria and hold our heads high; when we look at the civil service, we can say yes we have the best state secretariat, our youths are better off now.
“We are very proud of you and we are solidly behind you and we will go with you to any length.
“So, we say that we we are solidly behind you, hence, we have come to pledge our solidarity to you.”
Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Benjamin Elue, stated that it was unfortunate that people who came out to serve the people selflessly are most times persecuted by those they served.
While praying for Sen. Okowa, he assured him of the support of the people of Anioma no matter the situation.
The immediate past Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, at the occasion, moved a motion for a vote of confidence to be passed on Sen. Okowa by the people of Anioma which was seconded by the member representing Ndokwa West Constituency at the House of Assembly, Hon. Charles Emetulu and supported by all the people present at the occasion.
Some of those who paid the visit included Chief Godwill Obielum, Chief Chris Agbobu, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, among others.
