By Ken KenĀ
There seems to be a sense of uncertainty among certain groups in Rivers State as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to be preparing to delve into the past to investigate, a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili.
This renewed investigation comes after a span of over 16 years, during which the anti-corruption agency claimed that Odili had unresolved matters regarding an alleged N100 billion fraud linked to him.
TheNewDiplomat recalls that Odili, who had obtained a perpetual injunction towards the end of his eight-year tenure from 1999 to 2007, will be questioned about the origin of over N100 billion that allegedly ended up in his personal account or was spent by his administration.
The troubles for the former governor of Rivers State began during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration when Odili defiled all odds and ran for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, his campaign was allegedly halted due to allegations of financial misconduct during his time as governor.
Interestingly, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who previously served as the chairman of the EFCC, is now the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Bola Tinubu.
During Odili’s tenure, Rotimi Amaechi, who served as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was apprehended by the anti-corruption agency in order to gather information regarding the state’s financial dealings.
It would be recalled that in 2008, Odili took the initiative to seek legal intervention from a Federal High Court, resulting in the issuance of a permanent restraining order. This order prohibited the EFCC, its chairman, and other personnel from conducting any investigations into the financial records of the Rivers State government, including Odili himself or any other government official involved in the matter.
Meanwhile, after a span of more than 16 years, the EFCC has recently announced its focus on investigating the alleged fraudulent activities associated with the former governor of Rivers State.
However, according to reports, this renewed investigation might be connected with the ongoing political turmoil in the state, as there are other former governors who are also under scrutiny.
It would be recalled that Odili had an inspiring professional background as a medical doctor. He was educated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning his first degree in medicine and surgery. Later he furthered his studies in Tropical Medicine at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
In 1992, Odili was elected as the Deputy Governor of Rivers State. Following the conclusion of the Nigerian Third Republic, he was re-elected to the National Constitutional Conference, where he served as the Conference Committee Chairman on State Creation.
Subsequently, Odili assumed the role of National Secretary for the now-defunct Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN).
He, however, rose to prominence in Rivers politics and was elected governor of the state in 1999. Subsequently, he secured re-election in April 2003.
