Gentlemen of the Press,

I want to thank you most sincerely for your quick response to our invitation to this press conference. The issue about which we want to address you has to do with an imminent and even real breach of the basic fundamental human right of a Nigerian, a statesman and a leader.
In this country today, arrest him, arrest him!, prosecute him, prosecute him!, and even jail him!, have all become the sloganeering metaphor in the psyche of those who harbour vernomous hatred for the personality of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the former elected governor who administered Delta State from 1999 to May, 2007.
On the 13th of April, 2010, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – EFCC sprang an embarrassing move against Chief Ibori. Given the manner and frenzy with which Chief Ibori is being haunted since the past three years, it is left to your imagination what his traducers and tormentors would have done to him if he were the President of Nigeria during the period under review. But he was not, and he was only one of 36 state governors of the country at the time and remains till date, the most hunted, the most vilified, the most talked about by the EFCC and perhaps, the most vindicated at the end of the day.
The reason why there is a perception of political vindictiveness and persecution in this matter between the EFCC and Chief Ibori is that only recently, about five months ago, the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, after a period of a very rigorous forensic judicial process, cleared Chief Ibori of all the charges pressed against him by the EFCC. The man was given a clean bill of health and absolved of any malfeasance while he was in office.
Gentlemen, inspite of the fact that the judgment served to vindicate the innocence of the former governor, it has now become obvious that the judgment has only served as the next available lethal and combustible platform to launch fresh attacks on him by his political tormentors. Thus, the declaration of Chief Ibori as a wanted man, to us, smacks of high-profile psychological war against him. The action itself is suggestive of a summary conclusion by the EFCC that willy-nilly, it must presume the guilt of Chief Ibori even before its fresh charges being preferred against him are brought before a competent court of law and tested in the crucible of justice.
The desperation to pull Chief Ibori down took a disturbing and dramatic twist yesterday. This was at a time when he had just protested to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, through his legal counsel, that he needed the protection of the state against agents of those who want him crucified unjustly through torrents of unsubstantiated negative media reports against him. In the instant case, the EFCC invitation letter was delivered to him on Tuesday, 13th April, 2010 at 4:20pm in which he was asked to appear before the Commission on Saturday, 17th April, 2010. Gentlemen, even before Chief Ibori could digest the contents of the letter, and make contacts with his lawyers, the EFCC on the same day, 13th April, 2010 slammed him with a declaration that he is now a wanted man. This was when the day of his expected report to the Commission has not fallen due.
If this is not a summary deployment of impunity and an explosion of its coercive power, how else can this display of power be classified? Who is the EFCC working for? Whose interest is the Commission pushing?
It is instructive that the EFCC letter was dated March 22nd, 2010 and it took the Commission three clear weeks to deliver the letter. This is a seeming ploy to give the impression that it took the Commission such a long time to deliver the letter on the untenable hypothesis that Chief Ibori may have been evading being served with the letter. If this is the contrivance, then nothing can be farther from the truth because since he left office, and throughout his travails in the hands of EFCC, and onwards through the court’s acquittal of all the charges against him, Chief Ibori had always remained in the country. Besides, an invitation to appear before a security agency on a Saturday is a smart way to deny the invitee his liberty for some days, in the first-instance, on the grounds that such an invitee cannot in law be granted bail on a weekend.
In its justification for its fresh onslaught against the former governor, the Commission said it was doing so in connection with on-going investigations into suspected corruption and money laundering allegations. More significantly, the Commission explained that it was only responding to petitions from some members of the public against the former governor. Curiously, however, none of the petitioners was identified in the EFCC invitation perhaps, on the assumption that the identities of the petitioners would be unveiled in court. We hold that this approach does not serve the course of justice, and is condemnable.
For justice to be served, we hold and demand that the identities of the petitioners against Chief Ibori to the EFCC ought to and should be made public. Such a measure would enable each petition to be put into its appropriate context as it would facilitate preparations for defence processes in the law court.
Furthermore, we demand that in the discharge of its mandate to extirpate corruption in the land, the EFCC should, as an article of its creed, stick to the rule of law and due process. It should, as an institution charged with the task of fighting corruption, not give the impression that it is by itself, above the law.
In a democratic dispensation, the legal maxim that an accused or a suspect is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved in the law court, should hold sway at all times. This is both municipal and international legal best practice around the world, and Nigeria cannot be an exemption.
We had thought that the Commission under its new leadership had sufficiently cleaned itself of the negative public perception that it can be used, perhaps at will, as an attack tool in the hands of powerful political blocks to settle political differences whether real, imagined or contrived. Why is the EFCC in such a frenzy to go after Chief Ibori in a manner less than noble and edifying? Why is he being treated like an underdog? Are there other issues beyond the comprehension of Nigerians different from his perceived misdemeanour while in office for which he has been cleared in the first instance by a competent court of law? How far can people go in pursuing perceived enemies?
Gentlemen of the press, these are quite uncertain times in the life of the nation. As we move slowly but assuredly towards the next general elections, a number of political aberrations would be let loose on the polity. These times, therefore, call for eternal vigilance. As an institution of state, the EFCC remains a potent instrument to fumigate and enforce the moral imperatives of the people.
However, in doing so, it should not accept to recycle cases that have been judicially concluded. The underlining reasons for cases that had been dispensed with should not be given new colours in order to return to court.
Rather than do such ignoble things, the Commission is advised to strive and concentrate on successfully prosecuting the myriads of cases involving actors in the public and private sectors, both serving, retired or removed. The author and inventor of corruption, in its generic connotation, is not a Nigerian nor is he an African. It is an inheritance, and latter-day by-product of neo-colonialism. It requires the resolve of all of us to cure ourselves of the virus without misdirecting our efforts at crucifying targeted personalities, even after they have been absolved, and shield others, as long as they remain the lamp-holders of imperialistic and feudal tendencies.
As a parliamentary caucus, we reject this ruthless gestapo style of the EFCC against Chief Ibori. We should not forget his contributions to national development even as his tormentors seek to destroy him. We urge the EFCC not to regard itself as an instrument of vendetta against perceived enemies.
Thus, we make bold to say that the Commission as an anti-corruption agency, is not above the law of the land and therefore, not entitled to trample on the fundamental human rights of Chief Ibori as provided for in the constitution. The Commission should exert its efforts on all known cases of corruption across the country, whether state or federal, and if the Chairman cannot do this, the honourable thing to do is for her to resign her appointment.
The Delta state caucus, and indeed the people of Delta State, shall resist any attempt by the Commission to be used to unjustly hoodwink, victimize, humiliate and politically emasculate Chief Ibori, given the fact that there is now a build-up to all the processes for the next elections.
Once again, we want to thank you for honouring our invitation to this press conference. We shall continue to pray for the sustenance of democracy in the country. We also pray for the return to good health of the president, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua.

God bless Nigeria.


Delta Caucus, House of Representatives,
National Assembly, Abuja
15th April, 2010

I don't think you need to address 'Gentlemen of the Press'. 'A Nigerian, a statesman and a leader' should relax and address his Lordship in court and if he is clean, he can trust the court to award him some damages for the stress. And also, remember that the 'Nigerian, a statesman and a leader' in the person of Ibori advised Ribadu to present himself in court to clear himself. I personally expect the 'Nigerian, a statesman and a leader' to heed his own advice since he is a democrat.

Ibori is not afraid to go to court; in fact, he is very willing to meet the EFCC in court. He met them in court from 2007 to 2009. It is EFCC that is unwilling to go to court. They took appeal against his victory. Why dont they pursue that appeal?

Mr Ozalogbo,

Levels don change. I look toward the pleasure of seeing your frowning face when
the courts do the right thing.

There will be no more ''designer courts''.

Honestly , you represent the most despicable section of Nigerian politicians and I sincerely hope
your constituents are listening.

Ibori is not the biggest thief in Nigeria

The man just does not know his pay grade and he will get injured putting his hands where it is not meant to be.

I want to thank you most sincerely for your quick response to our invitation to this press conference. The issue about which we want to address you has to do with an imminent and even real breach of the basic fundamental human right of a Nigerian, a statesman and a leader.
In this country today, arrest him, arrest him!,  prosecute him, prosecute him!, and even jail him!, have all become the sloganeering metaphor in the psyche of those who harbour vernomous hatred for the personality of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the former elected governor who administered Delta State from 1999 to May, 2007.
On the 13th of April, 2010, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – EFCC sprang an embarrassing move against Chief Ibori. Given the manner and frenzy with which Chief Ibori is being haunted since the past three years, it is left to your imagination what his traducers and tormentors would have done to him if he were the President of Nigeria during the period under review. But he was not, and he was only one of 36 state governors of the country at the time and remains till date, the most hunted, the most vilified, the most talked about by the EFCC and perhaps, the most vindicated at the end of the day.
The reason why there is a perception of political vindictiveness and persecution in this matter between the EFCC and Chief Ibori is that only recently, about five months ago, the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, after a period of a very rigorous forensic judicial process, cleared Chief Ibori of all the charges pressed against him by the EFCC. The man was given a clean bill of health and absolved of any malfeasance while he was in office.
Gentlemen, inspite of the fact that the judgment served to vindicate the innocence of the former governor, it has now become obvious that the judgment has only served as the next available lethal and combustible platform to launch fresh attacks on him by his political tormentors. Thus, the declaration of Chief Ibori as a wanted man, to us, smacks of high-profile psychological war against him. The action itself is suggestive of a summary conclusion by the EFCC that willy-nilly, it must presume the guilt of Chief Ibori even before its fresh charges being preferred against him are brought before a competent court of law and tested in the crucible of justice.
The desperation to pull Chief Ibori down took a disturbing and dramatic twist yesterday. This was at a time when he had just protested to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, through his legal counsel, that he needed the protection of the state against agents of those who want him crucified unjustly through torrents of unsubstantiated negative media reports against him. In the instant case, the EFCC invitation letter was delivered to him on Tuesday, 13th April, 2010 at 4:20pm in which he was asked to appear before the Commission on Saturday, 17th April, 2010. Gentlemen, even before Chief Ibori could digest the contents of the letter, and make contacts with his lawyers, the EFCC on the same day, 13th April, 2010 slammed him with a declaration that he is now a wanted man. This was when the day of his expected report to the Commission has not fallen due.
If this is not a summary deployment of impunity and an explosion of its coercive power, how else can this display of power be classified? Who is the EFCC working for? Whose interest is the Commission pushing?  
It is instructive that the EFCC letter was dated March 22nd, 2010 and it took the Commission three clear weeks to deliver the letter. This is a seeming ploy to give the impression that it took the Commission such a long time to deliver the letter on the untenable hypothesis that Chief Ibori may have been evading being served with the letter. If this is the contrivance, then nothing can be farther from the truth because since he left office, and throughout his travails in the hands of EFCC, and onwards through the court’s acquittal of all the charges against him, Chief Ibori had always remained in the country. Besides, an invitation to appear before a security agency on a Saturday is a smart way to deny the invitee his liberty for some days, in the first-instance, on the grounds that such an invitee cannot in law be granted bail on a weekend.
In its justification for its fresh onslaught against the former governor, the Commission said it was doing so in connection with on-going investigations into suspected corruption and money laundering allegations. More significantly, the Commission explained that it was only responding to petitions from some members of the public against the former governor. Curiously, however, none of the petitioners was identified in the EFCC invitation perhaps, on the assumption that the identities of the petitioners would be unveiled in court. We hold that this approach does not serve the course of justice, and is condemnable.          
For justice to be served, we hold and demand that the identities of the petitioners against Chief Ibori to the EFCC ought to and should be made public. Such a measure would enable each petition to be put into its appropriate context as it would facilitate preparations for defence processes in the law court.
Furthermore, we demand that in the discharge of its mandate to extirpate corruption in the land, the EFCC should, as an article of its creed, stick to the rule of law and due process. It should, as an institution charged with the task of fighting corruption, not give the impression that it is by itself, above the law.
In a democratic dispensation, the legal maxim that an accused or a suspect is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved in the law court, should hold sway at all times. This is both municipal and international legal best practice around the world, and Nigeria cannot be an exemption.
We had thought that the Commission under its new leadership had sufficiently cleaned itself of the negative public perception that it can be used, perhaps at will, as an attack tool in the hands of powerful political blocks to settle political differences whether real, imagined or contrived. Why is the EFCC in such a frenzy to go after Chief Ibori in a manner less than noble and edifying? Why is he being treated like an underdog? Are there other issues beyond the comprehension of Nigerians different from his perceived misdemeanour while in office for which he has been cleared in the first instance by a competent court of law? How far can people go in pursuing perceived enemies?
Gentlemen of the press, these are quite uncertain times in the life of the nation. As we move slowly but assuredly towards the next general elections, a number of political aberrations would be let loose on the polity. These times, therefore, call for eternal vigilance. As an institution of state, the EFCC remains a potent instrument to fumigate and enforce the moral imperatives of the people.
However, in doing so, it should not accept to recycle cases that have been judicially concluded. The underlining reasons for cases that had been dispensed with should not be given new colours in order to return to court.
Rather than do such ignoble things, the Commission is advised to strive and concentrate on successfully prosecuting the myriads of cases involving actors in the public and private sectors, both serving, retired or removed. The author and inventor of corruption, in its generic connotation, is not a Nigerian nor is he an African. It is an inheritance, and latter-day by-product of neo-colonialism. It requires the resolve of all of us to cure ourselves of the virus without misdirecting our efforts at crucifying targeted personalities, even after they have been absolved, and shield others, as long as they remain the lamp-holders of imperialistic and feudal tendencies.
As a parliamentary caucus, we reject this ruthless gestapo style of the EFCC against Chief Ibori. We should not forget his contributions to national development even as his tormentors seek to destroy him. We urge the EFCC not to regard itself as an instrument of vendetta against perceived enemies.
Thus, we make bold to say that the Commission as an anti-corruption agency, is not above the law of the land and therefore, not entitled to trample on the fundamental human rights of Chief Ibori as provided for in the constitution. The Commission should exert its efforts on all known cases of corruption across the country, whether state or federal, and if the Chairman cannot do this, the honourable thing to do is for her to resign her appointment.
The Delta state caucus, and indeed the people of Delta State, shall resist any attempt by the Commission to be used to unjustly hoodwink, victimize, humiliate and politically emasculate Chief Ibori, given the fact that there is now a build-up to all the processes for the next elections.  
Once again, we want to thank you for honouring our invitation to this press conference. We shall continue to pray for the sustenance of democracy in the country. We also pray for the return to good health of the president, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua.

God bless Nigeria.

LOOOOOOOL

levels don change,

when yar'dull was in power,dis they make such pathetic/deperate speeches??

LOOOOLLLLLL.

they say karma is a BI TC H,

WHEn ribadu was hounded out of office, nobody yarn , now fire is on the mountain

ozalogbo:

Ibori is not afraid to go to court; in fact, he is very willing to meet the EFCC in court. He met them in court from 2007 to 2009. It is EFCC that is unwilling to go to court. They took appeal against his victory. Why dont they pursue that appeal?

Good Question? I dont believe in EFCC at all,

This Ibori thing tire me jare

let him "settle them and rest like his partners in crime"
or is he that greedy to chop alone

i laugh

Is Yaradua no longer the president? why is Ibori playing the victim now? Delta caucus ko, Delta conclave ni.

you go cry blood when the real music start. Ambulance and its occupant will not be able to save you.

Aro Okigbo:

This Ibori thing tire me jare

let him "settle them and rest like his partners in crime"
or is he that greedy to chop alone

abi oo

Stop all these crappy P.R jare!! Ibori na thief simple!! if he isnt scared, let him come out and face EFCC and even if na UK courts, let him go and vindicate himself. Isnt it a shame that even the legislative arm is covering for a thief cos of ghana must go bags of money they expect from him? Truly our fathers have gone MAD!!!

The man na chop alone die alone dey do am, make he go settle the Delta's "ELDERS" then go leave am alone. COURT!!!!!!

To call press conference just arrange N5k in brown envelopes, N10k for the electronic Media because usually they are two one reporter one camera man, carry go, with that they will carry and sell any news. Yet they will come out and criticise police. put side by side with the Media, beleive me Nigerian Police will come out as saints

Let him go and spend some time in prison with Bode George

aisha2:

To call press conference just arrange N5k in brown envelopes, N10k for the electronic Media because usually they are two one reporter one camera man, carry go, with that they will carry and sell any news. Yet they will come out and criticise police. put side by side with the Media, beleive me Nigerian Police will come out as saints

i will appreciate your opinion on this discourse; https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-411434.0.html
it is a related point.

Let him ready another $5 million to bribe the next judge. Then the next. Then the next. Until he runs out of money - monies he misappropriated and batantly stole from the people of Delta state.

The delta state assembly members where ALL appointed and approved by Ibori and his sidekick Uduaghan. They are all thieves and lack credibility.

Bad guy with a smoking gun

ALAKANNI:

The man na chop alone die alone dey do am, make he go settle the Delta's "ELDERS" then go leave am alone. COURT!!!!!!

i guess you are referring to edwin clark.lol

sulad82i:

Bad guy with a smoking gun

There is so much insanity in this land and doubt if this country will ever survive it . I dont think that there is any other place in the world where a gang of criminals can with inpunity run a country down in this manner .Ibori is being wanted both at home and abroad and he has the guts to be dictating terms in his arrest . That members of house of reps are part of this gang makes the fight against corruption hopeless .Iam finished with Nigeria .

@ozalogbo

This is by no mean a woefully failed PR attempt by Ibori's side kicks.
~ Dead man walking! ~

Which way nigeria?

ibori bi thief.

Who is EFCC working for? EFCC is just shameless! Who are they decieving? I can't understand why they stop pursuing the appeal. We thought that the era of selective justice is over but from all indications, it is not. When ribadu was doing hatched job for obj against his percieved enemies, he did not know that his turn will come. When it was his turn to just appear before a competent court to clear his name on some corrupt charges levelled against him, he turned to fugitive. EFCC stop making Ibori more popular because it'l be the biggest shame if Ibori defeats you again. The noise about James Ibori is just disgusting and irritating. If EFCC has substantive evidence against Ibori, they should follow due process and send him to jail instead of this noise making. Enough of this political witch hunting.

Austin82:

Who is EFCC working for?

Before Goodluck became acting presido,EFCC was working for Ibori and his friends,now the drum beat has changed,therefore so must the dance steps too,for a new drummer is upon us

Aro Okigbo:

This Ibori thing tire me jare

let him "settle them and rest like his partners in crime"
or is he that greedy to chop alone

Who knows why his own case is turning into something else? He is not the worst thief in Nigeria so he should try to settle this saga amicably and stop all this cat and mouse game. Though there are slight changes he may need to be mindful of.

its frustrating that Ibori gets involved in controversies. why on earth will ibori stick to Yaradur even when it was obvious that yaradua was on a one way mission to meet God.

Now its pay back time. Goodluck wants his pound of flesh. Waziri has been told that a shakeup is coming to efcc and she is doing everything to save her job, even if it means biting the fingers that fed her.

The average nigerian is easily fooled. They want a crackdown on corruption, so those in power only need to label their opponents corrupt and pounce on them. then they are applauded, just like what is happening now. Even when yardua wanted to pounce on Rubadu, all he had to do was label Ribadu as a corrupt man who did not declare his asset. To throw El rufai out, they simply had to label him corrupt, accusing him of shady dealings in the FCT. The yearnings of the average Nigerian for the Govt to fight corruption is being used by those in power to consolidate themselves, without any intention to fight corruption. And the average nigerian, like rasputinn, is falling for the trick.

It no longer count that Ibori performed better than most govs during his tenure. It no longer count tha he built schools (primary, secondary and tertiary) roads, hospitals e.t.c all over delta state. He has been labelled a criminal and must be crucified even before any court pronounce him guilty. The next govs of delta state are learning. it does not pay to build infrastructures. Simply share the money to those who can cause you trouble and live in peace and praise just like Odili did. What a nation.

~Bluetooth:

i guess you are referring to edwin clark.lol

Oh God!!!
I can't stand that shameless old man.

I dunno why dem dey worry Chairman, IBB chop dem no query am, OBJ chop no harassment occured, Danjuma Nkor?

Na small ego Ibori chop EFCC wan crucify the guy, start with the top then we go know say EFCC means business,

I am running for governor of Delta state so i would need Ibori to bankroll my campaign thus EFFC leave the money i need am,

For all those here that have not visited Delta state or did not visit Delta state. I can tell you that I live in London and visit Nigeria a lot,
of all the states I visit regularly Lagos, Rivers, Abia, Delta,Edo. The amount of development in Delta state can not
be compared to any of the states above in Ibori's 8 years.

If Ibori stole which most likely is true, he must go to jail fine, but the impression that all he did was steal money is not correct. Even Goodluck in Balyelsa did not
come close to Ibori.

when EFCC visitd Oghara,not sure of the spelling,they were astonished cos they mistake the town to LA in US,the town fine no be small,the question they asked was,did this man Ibori built all these for his people,if so the man did well.So the question am putting out there is why all the noise about Ibori stealing money for himself?