Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes commission, EFCC, to immediately release a former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency had confirmed the arrest of Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
According to EFCC, he was arrested when he reported at its Port Harcourt directorate.
The former Delta State governor was arrested for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion, being proceeds of 13 percent derivation funds that accrued to the state during his tenure
Osadolor described Okowa’s detention by EFCC as political witch-hunting, persecution and another method of silencing opposition parties, saying this is not good for democracy.
He said the former governor had been walking free until the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, started criticising government policies.
“It is surprising that a man who came to the EFCC himself was detained and till now, he is still in detention.
“The man was not evading arrest. He is a global figure and he is being robed with humongous figures which is not true.
“Delta State government has not said its money is missing. EFCC is playing the role of a litigant and prosecution, and going to the media with an investigation that is purportedly ongoing.
“The development is very dangerous and we must condemn it”, he said.
Osadolor said some former governors and leaders of the ruling party have some financial management allegations against them and yet walking freely.
“What is the difference with what has happened in the case of Okowa, if not mere politics.
“He should be released while media trials and embarrassment of opposition leaders must stop.
“We should also know that there is a pattern, from the arrest of Okowa, by next week, EFCC may go after Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State
“This is a plan targeted at opposition leaders in the country.
“We are not saying that political office leaders should not be called to account, but it should be devoid of political sentiments”, he said.
Osadolor advised the anti-graft agency not to see itself as an extension of the ruling party or the presidency, but a neutral and independent body that investigates financial crimes.
“We are also calling for a total overhaul of the EFCC Act so that no president, no matter how powerful he is, can appoint directors for the commission.
“Let the judiciary or the Senate appoint the chairman or board members of EFCC.
“It should be removed from the exclusive control of the presidency”, he said. NAN