Several profile politicians, including Ifeanyi Okowa, Godswill Akpabio, Orji Uzor Kalu, and others, who defected from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), appear to have eluded investigations by the EFCC into corruption allegations after their defections.
These politicians were under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before joining the APC, and their legal troubles seemed to dissipate once they aligned with the ruling party.
According to a report by FIJ, one notable example is Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of Delta State, who was being probed by the EFCC for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion from the state’s 13% derivation funds.
After Okowa’s defection to the APC, he described the investigation as politically motivated, raising suspicions that his shift to the APC had influenced the outcome of the probe.
This trend mirrors statements made by APC chieftain Adams Oshiomhole, who famously suggested that joining the APC could result in “forgiven sins.”
Another example is Godswill Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, who faced an EFCC investigation in 2015 for allegedly embezzling N108.1 billion.
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After defecting to the APC in 2018, the investigation went quiet, and Akpabio later served as Minister and eventually became Senate President.
Despite calls for the probe to be concluded, Akpabio has yet to face legal consequences.
Similarly, Orji Uzor Kalu, the former governor of Abia State, was arrested in 2007 by the EFCC for financial mismanagement.
After defecting to the APC, Kalu’s case went through several legal twists, with the Supreme Court ruling in 2020 that his conviction was overturned on a technicality, allowing him to return to the Senate.
Other politicians who escaped prosecution after joining the APC include Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, who faced money laundering charges, and Musiliu Obanikoro, a former PDP member, who was investigated for his involvement in election-related financial misconduct. After defecting to the APC, both saw their legal challenges fade.
Peter Nwaoboshi, a senator from Delta State, and Emmanuel Bwacha, a former Senate Minority Leader from Taraba State, also joined the APC amid allegations of financial wrongdoing. Their defections have been seen as attempts to escape investigation and prosecution.
Despite the growing concerns, the EFCC has not provided a clear response regarding whether these investigations will be continued. FIJ’s inquiry to the EFCC for clarification went unanswered by press time.
These defections have sparked widespread criticism, with many believing that joining the APC offers corrupt politicians a shield from accountability.
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