Okowa’s Arrest: Innocent Until Proven Guilty – Bureau Chief

Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the arrest of former governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as reported by a section of the media does not in any way fracture his enviable reputation.

Dr Oghenesivbe made the assertion on Monday night, saying that under the legal principle of presumption of innocence, Senator Okowa may be interrogated and released without criminal prosecution or until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction

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He noted that EFCC usually invites suspects based on criminal allegations, which may be true or false, and the Law recognizes the innocence of all accused persons until proven otherwise.

The Bureau Chief further stated that in the instant case, former governor Okowa, made himself available to EFCC, and did not abscond from Nigeria as we are made to understand in some cases under investigation.

Dr Oghenesivbe Latimore, who was Okowa’s Executive Assistant on Communications from 2017 to May 29, 2023, appealed to the good people of Delta State, to keep their fingers crossed, pray for Senator Okowa, adding that he may be innocent at the end of EFCC investigation.

“The news of former governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s arrest by EFCC is trending on social media platforms based on reports by section a of the traditional media.

“There is no cause for alarm. It’s an established procedure in criminal matters to have a suspect arrested based on allegations in form of a petition to the commission.

“Arrest is not a proof of guilt, and not a judgment by a Court of competent jurisdiction. The allegations shall be tested in Court or Courts is the need arises. It’s important for us to keep our fingers crossed.

“I urge Deltans to pray for Senator Okowa at this trying time,” Oghenesivbe said.