Court Gives Verdict On Over N200bn Education Funds Collected by Okowa’s Govt

• Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has given its verdict concerning the over N200bn public funds collected by former Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa
• The court ordered the Delta state government to account for how the education funds were spent between 2015 and 2019
• The judgment, dated July, 17, was delivered by Honourable Justice Daniel Osiagor following a Freedom of Information suit brought by SERAP

Ikeja, Lagos state - Honourable Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has ordered the former Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to account for the over N200bn public funds he collected from the Universal Basic Education Commission [UBEC] fund and allocations from the Federation Accounts.

Justice Osiagor also ordered Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State to explain in detail the budgetary allocations and actual spending, including specific projects carried out to improve primary education, and the locations of such projects between 2015 and 2019 by the Okowa government, Channels TV reported.

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The presiding judge gave the order following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/L/CS/803/2019, brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

Osiagor held that

“SERAP has the cognizable legal right to inquire and know the way and manner public institutions manage public funds. I must say, that every citizen has a duty to demand transparency and accountability in the governance of public institutions.”

According to Punch, in his judgment, dated July, 17, Justice Osiagor ordered the Delta State government to:

“Disclose how the Okowa government spent over N7.28 billion received from UBEC between 2015 and 2017, and N213 billion received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2018, at an average of N17.8 billion monthly.”

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SERAP’s suit followed the case of seven-year-old Success Adegor, who was sent home because her parents could not pay the illegal school fee/levy of N900.

Edwin Clark Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Misappropriation of N1trn by Okowa

Renowned nationalist and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for allegedly misappropriating N1 trillion of the 13% oil derivation fund for the state.

The 13% derivation fund comes from the federation account to oil-producing communities through state governments, as contained in section 162 (2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (amended).

Edwin Clark Exposes Ex-Gov Okowa, Atiku in Aftermath Revelation of 2023 Presidential Election

Nigerian nationalist, elder statesman, and leader of the Ijaws in the Niger Delta, Chief Edwin Clark, has accused the immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, of using state funds to sponsor the campaign of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Chief Clark disclosed this information in an interview with Reuben Abati in a live telecast on Arise Television.

Source: Legit.ng