EFCC set to pick Ex-Obiano’s Chief of staff, Odili over multimillion naira fraud any moment

CAPITAL POST was on Monday hinted that, the Nigeria’s anti graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was set to arrest the ex-Chief of Staff to the former governor of Anambra State,
Mr Primus Odili.

The former Chief of Staff has been under surveillance for alleged mismanagement of public funds, and has disappeared from the public space since his principal handed over power to Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

This was revealed by impeccable source in the Commission who pleaded anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

According to the EFCC’s sources, based on reports and documents obtained from government house Awka, office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), bank details and witnesses’ accounts, Mr. Odili has a big case to answer.

The sources said the sins of Mr Primus Odili include extortion at Onitsha Bridge Head Market where he was said to have forceful obtained N25 million from drug traders monthly from each line, thirty five lines each for six years.

It was also alleged that he closed shops of traders using imposed caretaker leadership if any market line refused to pay and when the line paid eventually, he would add N5 million fine for failing to pay on time.

Mr. Primus Odili, it was alleged, diverted COVID 19 cheques donated by individuals and private sectors to the tune of N11,7 billion and converted to foreign accounts for personal use.

He was alleged to have purchased properties abroad under the guise of foreign business trips for Anambra State government to the tune of $350 million.

He allegedly collected ten percent kick back from construction firms in Anambra running into N 5.8 billion.

He allegedly collected monthly returns from political appointees and Transition Committee members of the twenty-one local government areas for seven years.

He was alleged to have also diverted budget allocations for Government Hours and Governor’s Lodge for five years.

The Commission’s finding was said to be very shocking, especially how the man missused his sensitive position to carry out certain financial transactions which undermined public interest.

It was also revealed that the negligence, carelessness and questionable activities of Mr. Odili as the Chief of Staff undermined his principal’s administion.

The anticorruption agency, according to the sources, had therefore claimed that this was why Mr. Odili disappeared and abandoned his principal when he (Obiano) was arrested.