Akpowowo To Critics: Inform EFCC, Police If You Have Proof I Stole Government Funds

The Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, has challenged critics accusing him of financial misconduct to produce evidence and report him to law enforcement agencies if they believe he diverted or misappropriated government funds.

Akpowowo made the statement in an exclusive interview with Oasis Magazine on Thursday in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, while responding to allegations and political attacks against him ahead of the 2027 State House of Assembly election.

The lawmaker said he would not be intimidated by allegations of financial misconduct, stressing that anyone with credible evidence that he diverted public funds should approach the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Nigeria Police Force.

“Some people are already throwing mud at me, saying that I ate government money, that they have not stolen government money before, and I dare to challenge them: if you know of any government money that is missing and it's traceable to me, please bring EFCC or bring the Nigerian Police to come and arrest me,” he said.

‘Government Money Is Traceable’

Akpowowo also sought to clarify what he described as misconceptions about how government finances are handled, particularly the belief that political office holders have direct access to government cash.

According to him, public funds are subject to official processes and must be traceable.

“Government money is traceable. That is why they don't pay cash,” he said, explaining that funds are transferred through official channels to ensure accountability.

He said that as a former commissioner, he never handled the ministry's cheques because the Permanent Secretary, as the accounting officer, was responsible for the financial administration of the ministry.

“I never saw the cheque of the ministry that I presided over for three years,” he said.

Akpowowo explained that his role as commissioner was primarily political and administrative leadership, while the Permanent Secretary and Director of Finance handled the ministry's financial processes.

‘We Don’t See Government Money in the House’

The Deputy Speaker said the same principle applies to the State House of Assembly.

He explained that the Assembly exercises the constitutional power of the purse through appropriation, while the executive implements the approved budget.

According to him, the House's oversight responsibility includes monitoring how appropriated funds are spent by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He cited the 2026 budget as an example, explaining that the Assembly follows approved allocations to determine how funds earmarked for various sectors are utilised.

“We have approved, for example, 2026, we approved ?1.6 trillion for this year's budget. So, we follow the ?1.6 trillion. Where is the money we approved for agriculture? How have you spent it? The ministry will tell us,” he said.

He added that ministries are expected to account for their expenditure, including projects executed and funds remaining.

“That is oversight,” he said.

‘Government Money Is Spirit’

Akpowowo also dismissed claims that lawmakers routinely collect large amounts of cash from Government House.

He recalled an occasion when someone allegedly told him that lawmakers were given money at Government House on Fridays and carried it away in the boots of their official vehicles.

He said he challenged the person to open his vehicle boot and search for the alleged money.

According to him, the person found only shoes and clothes in the boot.

Akpowowo said such stories were based on misconceptions about the workings of government.

“Government money is spirit. Handless, that's the fact,” he said jokingly.

‘My Salary Is Not a Secret’

The Deputy Speaker also rejected the perception that public office holders conceal their earnings.

He said he had never hidden his salary as a lawmaker and that people around him were aware of what he earns.

Akpowowo recalled his earlier experience as a commissioner, saying that during the COVID-19 period he disclosed to a journalist that his salary at the time was ?404,000.

He said the other official fund available to his office was an imprest, which was shared among the commissioner, Permanent Secretary and directors in the ministry.

He maintained that the reality of public office finances was different from the assumptions held by some members of the public.

Calls for Evidence-Based Politics

Akpowowo urged political opponents to focus on issues and avoid what he described as mudslinging during the election season.

He said that if anyone genuinely believed a public officer had stolen or diverted government funds, the appropriate action was to report the matter to law enforcement agencies with evidence.

“If you know anybody that embezzled government funds or that diverted government funds, your duty as a citizen—good citizen—is to go to the law enforcement agents to complain,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker said he would continue to defend his reputation through lawful means, noting that his legal training had made him aware of his rights.

He warned that he would not hesitate to seek legal redress against individuals who deliberately defame or blackmail him.

‘Let the Campaign Be Issue-Based’

The lawmaker reiterated his commitment to an issue-based campaign ahead of the 2027 election.

He said political candidates should tell the electorate what they had achieved and what they intended to do, rather than resorting to personal attacks.

Akpowowo said the official campaign period for State House of Assembly candidates would commence on September 9, according to the timetable he referenced during the interview.

He expressed confidence in his record and urged his opponents to allow the people to judge candidates based on their performance, integrity and plans for the future.

He said he remained prepared to engage his opponents politically when the campaign officially begins, but would continue to focus on issues and his record of service to the people of Ethiope East.

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