EFCC TURNS ON THE HIT:
Odili's in-law under arrest

By Elem Kash

Time running out for the 'leader' of the 'new Rivers State'

Okey Nzenwa, brother-in-law and close confidant of Governor Peter Odili who has been sitting pretty and enjoying funds looted from the treasury of the Rivers State by the man who presided over one of the most dreaded administrations ever in the history of Rivers State is in the net.
He was arrested after several visits to the EFCC. In the last two weeks, Nzenwa has been a regular guest at the EFCC, according to what we have found
The Telegraph had learnt of the development before his eventual arrest through a dependable source.
Our checks showed the heat was actually being turned on, on Nzenwa.
Initially, Nzenwa was allowed to come and go after chats with officials. But on Tuesday, the music changed. The EFCC which had taken hold of his international passport arrested and detained him.
His arrest came as news made the rounds that some 'big boy' governors would soon be arraigned in court by the EFCC. One reporter described them as "big fishes" and disclosed that they were among some persons believed to be untouchables.
Within Odili's political family, news of the arrest of Nzenwa sent shock waves even as anxiety began to mount, and most Odili men shocked by the turn of events tried to make sense of what is happening.
Nuhu Ribadu, chairman of the EFCC had in an interview with Elendureports in 2006 described Governor Peter Odili as a crook, but he said the Rivers governor as he then was, was too crafty and too smart, saying it was difficult to pin anything down on him.
There was uproar in Port Harcourt, with government officials expressing strong reservations over such comments, especiaslly without what they describe as proof.
Ribadu was in Paris when the report was released and pressure was reportedly brought to bear on him from all quarters by powerful Nigerians who may have included former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The chairman of the commission eventually caused EFCC's press section to issue a reaction. Elendu insisted he had everything on tape, refused to recount the story published on line by Elendureports.com Thereafter, the EFCC visited the Rivers State during the run off to the presidential race and turned all the books upside down in search of fraud in the way the administration ran expenses relating to its Independent Power Project, IPP.
Also invited for questioning was Odili's long standing friend an business associate, Mr. Ararumi-Johnson who now owns Arik Air.
Addressing Rivers people at a Christmas Banquet, Odili described Ararumi Johnson as the best friend of Rivers State and challenged any one who had proof of a better price for the construction of the gas turbines to volunteer same.
It was a challenge nobody took, a challenge which nonetheless angered several Rivers people, including those of them close to Odili who were in the Banquet Hall.
Thanks to the EFCC, at last, the maze of secrecy surrounding the secret deals of Governor Odili and how he is believed to have looted the coffers of the Rivers people is gradually breaking down.
This publication gathered that the commission which was taking a more than cursory interest in friends and associates of Governor Odili decided to look closely at Okey Nzenwa.
Nzenwa has made a fortune in the last eight years and become a high flyer. Within a span of eight years he has ventured into shipping, construction and equipment leasing among other investments, courtesy of his in-law, Dr Peter Odili.
With the help of his in-law, Nzenwa turned attention to oil and gas. Nzenwa is the chairman of Clean Water, the firm which is at the head of a consortium of interests that was expected to collaborate with the Rivers State government to develop a refinery.
Somehow, the EFCC had gotten a lead, according to one source, which showed Okey Nzenwa might be the major conduit through whom Odili handled his money laundering runs. So, they (EFCC) decided to follow certain leads.
Soon investigators were convinced Nzenwa who has become a globe trotter in the last eight years could indeed be one of the keys to unlock the mystery surrounding Odili and what is suspected to be his fraudulent looting of the Rivers treasury.
The cased him, monitoring his every move until the commission concluded it has a water-tight case against him.
But Nzenwa is merely a small fry, insiders say. The big mask is Governor Odili himself, and the information is the noose is tightening fast around his neck.
Despite every move to avoid being arraigned, it is just possible Odili would appear in court soon. And sources insist there are indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is close to arresting Peter Odili, the former governor of Rivers State.
A medical doctor before he assumed the governorship, Odili is widely considered one of Nigeria's most corrupt public officials over the last eight years.
Although how much he is worth is not known, the general feeling is that the man that people in Rivers State refer to as His Imperial majesty might be worth billions and billions of naira and hard currency.
Odili, who was also one of the closest confidantes of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, is suspected to have milked billions of naira from his state's coffers and engaged in serious money laundering.
Last Tuesday, there was reportedly panic in the Odili home as agents of the EFCC arrested and detained Okey Ezenwa, Odili's brother-in-law considered one of the former governor's main runners and looting tools.
Ezenwa is suspected to be a major front for the former governor in moving looted cash out of Nigeria. His seized international passport is said to contain myriads of visas to different countries around the world. The visas have provided a clue as to where Peter Odili had businesses and bank accounts outside the shores of Nigeria.
Okey Ezenwa worked in conjunction with a Port Harcourt-based lawyer Lucius Nwosu (SAN).
Both men are said to be involved in running an oil company on behalf of Peter Odili that was used in fleecing Rivers State of $10 million.
Investigators have also discovered that Peter Odili bought a helicopter for his failed presidential campaign using his son-in-law, Patrick Onwuka, as a front for the N3.1 billion transaction.
Said one Rivers man, "I cannot wait for the prosecution of that evil man. I thought he was above arrest and above the law of the land. Now, I know the gentlemen at the EFCC had all along known what they have been doing."
Many here even suggest that his eventual arrest would reduce the pressure on Governor Omehia who is being made to take orders and embark on projects that are not really top in the eyes of the people.
Besides, taking Odili out of the way some say would help stem the cult threat as well.
Our information suggests that it is now a matter of days and a few weeks before the leader of the new Rivers State as his followers like to describe his brought to book for raping the treasury of the people of Rivers State.