Abuja, Port Harcourt — A case of alleged multi-billion naira corruption against former Rivers State governor Peter Odili and some officials of his administration has been abandoned by the EFCC, Daily Trust's investigations have shown.

This is even as the "perpetual injunction" against arrest secured by Odili in March 2008 still subsists because the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt is yet to vacate it nearly four years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed an appeal.

EFCC began moves to swoop on Rivers state officials in late 2006 when it issued a report of investigation into the state's finances in which it said over N100 billion was diverted during Odili's two terms.

The report contained allegations of large-scale fraud, conspiracy, conversion of public funds, foreign exchange malpractice, money laundering, stealing and abuse of oath of office against the former governor.

To stave off impeding prosecution of officials, the then Rivers state attorney general went to court and got a perpetual injunction in March 2007 restraining EFCC from investigating the state government.

A year later, months after he had left office in May 2007, Odili himself went to court and asked to be made to benefit from the injunction and the court granted his prayers, making him perpetually immune from arrest, investigation or prosecution.

In October 2008, EFCC challenged the perpetual injunction at the Court of Appeal, but no judgement has yet been given nearly four years after, because of what a source close to the matter said was lack of diligent prosecution and official interference.

In the meantime, the commission had built a case against Odili and other officials, hoping to move in to file charges as soon as the injunction was lifted, sources familiar with matter said.

But about two years ago, the commission dropped further action against Odili, and retrieved the case file from the lawyer handling the matter, because of what a source said were "orders from above."

Abagworo: But about two years ago, the commission dropped further action against Odili, and retrieved the case file from the lawyer handling the matter, because of what a source said were "orders from above."

http://allafrica.com/stories/201208070256.html

abbey37: I think a london court should take up this case cause every corruption charges droped against anyone in nigeria is always a diff case in london.
Ibori is a good example

pro01: That's why I laugh at the nitwits who sing and dance whenever a random Ibori is used as sacrificial lamb to appease the gods. The Anti-Corruption 'war' in Nigeria is all motion without movement. Sad, sad, commentary.

binger: All along,i thought Odili was clean...am surprised to hear his accused of all these corrupt acts...#justsaying

hardywaltz: Peter 'Donatus' Odili the Billboard Golden Governor of his tym, I miss dat chap, sometimes I wonder y he wasn't made VP. He wouldn't have waited 4 SNG to protest he would have sent his evil squad to kill Yar'dua in Saudi and chased Turia out of Aso Rock..... Well Odili's arrest/prosecution will lead to so many politicians in Rivers State also going to jail eg Chibuike Ameachi, Sen. Magnus Abe, Abiye Sekibo, Tele Ikuru, Nyesom Wike, Dakuku Peterside etc not to mention Justice Mary Odili who is making sure her colleagues are in order. It will be in their interest dat Peter is left alone.

Okija_juju:


Are you mixing Rotimi Amaechi up with Chibudom Nwuche?!

Anyways, No doubt, alot of Niggas will go down with him, but nonetheless... The EFCC and the Judiciary are both useless drain pipe of our budget.. We should simply scrap the Judiciary arm of government and resort to peoples court and jungle justice..

I wonder what the Retardeen is doing about the Judiciary? he promised us Judicial reform nauuu

binger: All along,i thought Odili was clean...am surprised to hear his accused of all these corrupt acts...#justsaying

Demdem:

I wonder what the Retardeen is doing about the Judiciary? he promised us Judicial reform nauuu

Okija_juju:


Are you mixing Rotimi Amaechi up with Chibudom Nwuche?!

Anyways, No doubt, alot of Niggas will go down with him, but nonetheless... The EFCC and the Judiciary are both useless drain pipe of our budget.. We should simply scrap the Judiciary arm of government and resort to peoples court and jungle justice..