BY Sunny Ofili
DATE : Friday, 15 December 2006
If feelers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are anything to go by, the governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili will soon join the ignoble list of impeached governors. Sources close to EFCC investigators sieving through the books of the oil-producing state say that the agency may have discovered the misappropriation of over 200 billion naira.
Just yesterday, the Odili announced his withdrawal from the presidential race “for personal reasons.’ The Times of Nigeria can confirm that the governor was indeed forced to quit the race by Nuhu Ribadu, the chairman of EFCC.


Ribadu was said to have been so upset at the level of discovery that he screamed at Odili several times during a peace meeting and even threatened to arrest him. “Walahi talai, I must arrest you. You are more than armed robber. I don’t know what to call you” he said to him at a meeting held last week.


A source privy to the meeting said that on more than one occasion governor Odili prostrated on the floor begging Ribadu.


Odili’s chances of emerging as a running mate to Yar”Adua is said to be “dead.” “This man is going to jail. Ribadu told him to his face that he will get him impeached and arrested.


Apart from the over N200 billion said to have being misappropriated by the governor, Ribadu is said to be very upset with how the Odili has being spending money for his campaign.


EFCC investigations showed that Odili had spent N138 million for blocks of rooms at major hotels in Abuja where he had hoped to lodge delegates. The Abuja Sheraton, Transcorp Hilton and Bolingo hotels were some of the hotels were booking were made.


About N53 million was said to have been paid to the Abuja Sheraton by Odili for a block of rooms. While another N18 million was spent for the same at Bolingo hotels.


As soon as the EFCC got wind of the bookings, the hotels were quickly ordered to cancel the reservations and ordered to refund the money to the agency as it was government money.


Some of the hotels protested saying it was a legitimate business but the EFCC boss threatened them with a shutdown before they promptly complied.

http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1569

After Mr Odili spent millions for Muyiwa's wedding, I don't think OBJ will allow him to be impeached.

Show me the money and show me some respect= OBJ's protection.

siddon look.

@sijien; no siddon for floor abeg find bed sleep because it will take some time for the drama to start.

Did anybody hear of the amount Odili paid 2 Tell mag last week to publish a special edition 4 him?