The Accountant General of Delta State, Mrs. Joy Enwa,
has denied any wrongdoing following her arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of misappropriating N1.3 trillion linked to the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The EFCC confirmed her detention as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct, which reportedly involves funds from the 13 percent derivation allocation for oil-producing states.
Just before her arrest, Mrs. Enwa described the allegations as politically motivated, stating, “I have always carried out my duties with transparency and accountability. This is an attempt to tarnish my reputation because of my position in the previous administration.”
Supporters of Mrs. Enwa have suggested that the probe may be part of a larger political agenda to discredit officials linked to the Okowa administration. A senior Delta State official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “The timing of this investigation raises questions. Why are these allegations surfacing now, months after the transition to a new government?”
Mrs. Enwa, who served as deputy Accountant General under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan before her appointment in 2020, had previously faced questions over a N369 million fraud case in 2015. However, she was cleared of wrongdoing after an internal investigation.
When asked about her earlier controversies, Mrs. Enwa responded, “I have faced baseless accusations before and emerged innocent. I trust the EFCC to conduct a fair investigation this time as well.”
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that Mrs. Enwa’s arrest was part of standard investigative procedures and emphasized that no conclusions had been reached yet.
“We are committed to due process. The investigation is ongoing, and we urge the public to allow the law to take its course,” he stated.
Mixed reactions have trailed the arrest. While anti-corruption advocates have praised the EFCC’s efforts to promote accountability, supporters of Mrs. Enwa have expressed concerns about political witch-hunts.
“It’s unfortunate that competent public servants are sometimes caught in political crossfires,” said a former Delta State commissioner.
The EFCC has indicated that more officials may be invited for questioning as investigations proceed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Enwa’s legal team has expressed confidence in clearing her name, urging the public to refrain from rushing to judgment.
Mrs. Enwa remains in EFCC custody as investigations continue.