Convicted Nigeria ex-governor to pay fine

A Nigerian court fined a former governor of the southwestern state of Edo 3.5 million naira (17,345 pounds) for corruption which he intends paying as an alternative to serving six months in jail. Skip related content

Lucky Igbinedion, who was charged in January with embezzling 2.9 billion naira, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption in a plea bargain at a Federal High Court in the southeastern city of Enugu on Thursday, officials said.

Igbinedion will also refund about 500 million and forfeit three properties, including one in the capital Abuja, presiding Judge A. Abdu-Kafarati said.

The sentence angered the anti-graft Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which critics had often accused of lacking the will to prosecute former leaders. The agency said it would appeal against the ruling.

"We are quarrelling (with) the option of a fine. Such options would not serve as deterrent to others who might want to commit such crimes," EFCC spokesman Femi Babafemi said.

President Umaru Yar'Adua came to power about 18 months ago pledging zero tolerance for corruption in one of the world's most tainted countries, but faces questions from critics over his commitment to the campaign.

Igbinedion, who was governor in Edo from 1999-2007, is the second governor from the previous administration to be convicted on corruption and money laundering charges since Yar'Adua took power in the world's eighth largest oil exporter.

OTHER GOVERNORS

A former governor of the oil-producing state of Bayelsa, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was sentenced to two years in prison in July 2007 in a plea bargain, but spent only a few months in jail as he had been in detention since December 2005.

Alamieyeseigha was arrested with almost 1 million pounds in cash in his London home in 2005. He was charged by British authorities with money laundering but skipped bail and returned to Nigeria where state governors have immunity from prosecution. They lose immunity once they leave office.

Nine other ex-governors who served under former president Olusegun Obasanjo are facing corruption charges, but there has been no significant progress in the cases against them as they have dragged from one adjournment to another.

Nigeria's 36 state governors have discretionary powers over millions of dollars of public funds and sometimes behaved like feudal monarchs in their states, doling out cash and perks to political supporters and persecuting opponents.

Many top government officials in Africa's top oil producer looted public funds with impunity and the appearance of some former leaders in court makes front-page headlines in a country where they were long seen as above the law.


http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20081219/tpl-uk-nigeria-corruption-02bfc7e.html



Negotiating your jail sentence, Corruption is so into Nigeria that it would take a long time to Kill. Someone stole that kind of money and you are giving him an option to go to jail. MAY GOD HELP NIGERIA

This is just the beginning of more to come

What am I seeing

Lucky Igbinedion, who was charged in January with embezzling 2.9 billion

Will refund

Igbinedion will also refund about 500 million

This is the problem with Nigeria.

My problem is that there has never been a real jail sentencing that taught other people (thieves) lessons in Nigeria. They would either skip the rest, after serving 2months, or get an option like Igbinedion's. The Igbinedions are a very rich family and they wouldn't shake if they take out that kind of money from their fortune. All i'm saying is, if you won't sentence this people to real jail sentencing that they would serve, do not bother exposing them, becos its a waste of time and also brings a bad name to Nigeria.

Imagine this kind of story, not even on a Local News but on Yahoo News, and Imagine how many millions of people in the world using yahoo, and when they read this crazy story they just feel, we're all the same. Its insane really

i can confidently conclude now that the problem in Nigeria isnt our politicians, it is the JUDICIARY. they are A BUNCH OF IDIOTS.

zheroes:

i can confidently conclude now that the problem in Nigeria isnt our politicians, it is the JUDICIARY. they are A BUNCH OF IDIOTS.

u can say that over and over again!

These our so called 'leaders' are heartless and not even ashamed. I am sure some people will follow him to court cheering and he waving like a 'tambro' going around the world with a 'Nigerian Leader' label. What a Shameless World!!

Muza, i am really suprised you seem sad at this news item. What did you really expect? You and creativity have been the most vocal critics of Nuhu Ribadu on this board. You called him all sorts of names and accused him of being ineffective.
Mallam Nuhu took up the most difficult job in Nigeria today- which is fighting corruption. He knew the judiciary have been compromised and can't be relied upon. Give me an example of anyone that has ever been successfully prosecuted for corruption in a nigerian court. A judge even gave Odili perpetual injunction. Does that make sense?
Mallam Ribadu  was able to recoup of $5.5 billion during his 5-year stewardship, yet, some nigerians still criticise him in a very malicious manner.
We are just given the priviledged people in nigeria a green light to steal without limits. We are all in teh same boat, only God will let us still have  acountry after the politicians have finished ealing with us.

idiopathic:

Muza, i am really suprised you seem sad at this news item. What did you really expect? You and creativity have been the most vocal critics of Nuhu Ribadu on this board. You called him all sorts of names and accused him of being ineffective.
Mallam Nuhu took up the most difficult job in Nigeria today- which is fighting corruption. He knew the judiciary have been compromised and can't be relied upon. Give me an example of anyone that has ever been successfully prosecuted for corruption in a nigerian court. A judge even gave Odili perpetual injunction. Does that make sense?
Mallam Ribadu was able to recoup of $5.5 billion during his 5-year stewardship, yet, some nigerians still criticise him in a very malicious manner.
We are just given the priviledged people in nigeria a green light to steal without limits. We are all in the same boat, only God will let us still have acountry after the politicians have finished ealing with us.

You can say that again!