By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reaffirmed that its investigation into alleged corruption involving former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, is still ongoing despite his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The anti-graft agency said no politician is shielded from investigation or prosecution because of political affiliation, stressing that justice will take its full course.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made this clarification during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja to mark his second anniversary in office.
OUR CORRESPONDENT reports that Okowa was arrested by the commission in November 2024 over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds.
Okowa and his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April 2025 — a move that sparked public criticism and allegations that the EFCC had gone soft on the former governor.
Reacting, Olukoyede, represented by the EFCC Director of Legal and Prosecution, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), dismissed the claims, saying the agency operates independently and without political bias.
“The allegation that politicians who join the ruling party are shielded from investigation is false,” he said. “To the best of my knowledge, the case involving the former governor of Delta State is still under investigation. Justice will be served in due course.”
Tahir explained that the EFCC prefers to complete a comprehensive investigation before filing charges, especially in politically sensitive cases.
“We’ve had instances where cases were rushed to court and the outcomes were not favourable. We want to do a thorough job so that when we go to court, Nigerians will understand the strength of our case,” he added.
He maintained that no suspect enjoys immunity from investigation or prosecution, regardless of political alignment.
“There’s no attempt to shield anyone on account of party switching — certainly not under this chairman,” he said.
Tahir also addressed concerns about the pace of high-profile convictions, noting that such cases require detailed investigations due to their complexity.
“For us, crime is crime. But when you’re dealing with fact.”