…says investigation “not a Press-button process”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has broken its silence on the lingering investigation involving former Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, insisting that the probe is still active but complex, and warning against what it described as “uninformed political speculation.”
Speaking to journalists on the matter on Wednesday October 22, 2025, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, clarified that the investigation into Okowa’s administration is “far from stalled” but rather advancing cautiously to ensure due diligence and an airtight prosecution.
“You know, the investigation of any criminal matter is not a press-button thing. It takes time. For the former governor, there are many angles to the investigation that have to be explored,” the EFCC official said.
According to the Commission, the process has involved multiple correspondences with both local and international agencies, whose cooperation is crucial to establishing the financial trail under scrutiny.
“We write letters to agencies, including international ones, and we have to wait for their responses. It’s not something you rush.
“Sometimes a thorough investigation can take five years or more,” the spokesperson explained, stressing that the aim is to present “a watertight case that cannot be thrown out of court.”
Denies Political Interference or Bias
Addressing widespread speculation that the investigation had slowed due to Okowa’s reported alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the EFCC dismissed such claims as baseless.
“That is just uninformed speculation. We are not interested in any political party. What is our business with politics? We are concerned only with the substance of the alleged crime,” the official stated.
He further emphasized that the EFCC operates independently and without interference from the Presidency or any political authority.
“I was told just yesterday that the President himself said he is not interfering with what the Commission is doing. We are free to investigate whatever we want and pursue justice wherever it leads,” he added.
Background: Rising Public Pressure
Public interest in Okowa’s case has surged in recent months, amid mounting calls for accountability over alleged financial mismanagement during his eight-year tenure as governor of Delta State.
Critics argue that the EFCC’s silence and slow pace have fueled perceptions of selective justice, particularly as other high-profile probes appear to move faster.
Analysts, however, note that the Commission’s latest clarification may signal a renewed phase of the investigation, one likely to test the EFCC’s commitment to transparency and non-partisanship.
A Matter of Time and Thoroughness
While the EFCC insists that “diligence, not delay,” defines its approach, questions remain over how long the probe will take before charges, if any, are filed.
For now, the Commission maintains that only a comprehensive and evidence-backed process can ensure justice that stands the test of the law.
“We will explore every angle and engage every individual connected to the case. When we finally go to court, it will be with a case strong enough to withstand scrutiny,” the EFCC spokesperson added.
