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“We wish you a merry Xmas, we wish you a merry Xmas, we wish you a merry Xmas and a happy new year!” The carols roll on and the bells toll.

Year after year, from the mid November the frenzy hits the nerves. Both young and old are vulnerable. Financial institutions pool their resources. Debtors worry to pay up. Gainers count their profits.
The
inert smile and the children are anxious of the Day-speculative of the fashion in vogue, the meal (Xmas rice) hoping that their parents will provide for them to measure up with their peers in the flamboyant display of Xmas clothing.

The new shoes, cone caps, beautiful garlands, Xmas parties, visitation to friends and relations; the door to door collection of cash from hosts and the rotund stomach at the end of the day’s house to house calls.

The fire works on the Eve of Xmas day is the thrill. The rich and the poor, young and old, pagans and believers enjoy the fun.

The atmosphere is charged with the spirit of yuletide. December 25, is the un-adjourn able day. It comes and is celebrated. But one man
misses it. James Onanefe Ibori, the fugitive ex-governor of Delta State misses the fun in the free world. By fate he is to spend this year’s Xmas in a UK prison.

The joy of the Xmas day spills on to the New Year day. So, for a week, the celebration rolls and through the week the ex-governor will remain in prison where he will spend the Xmas and New Year.

Never mind, Xmas day in prison is not as horrible as imagined. Indeed, this is not the first time the Odidigborigbo of Africa will spend Xmas and the New Year days in prison, and may not be the last. In 2007 he spent the Xmas and New Year Days in prison courtesy of a Kaduna High Court order.

In prison, Xmas day is the second happiest day of the year. New Year day is the happiest because New Year signals another one year gone and one nearer release to the outside world. It doesn’t really matter which month you were ‘sent up’, another calendar year has passed. It is gone forever.
One pain that Ibori has is, he is yet to be convicted. Only remanded in the UK prison till February 2012 when his case will be heard. Had he been convicted and sentenced, he would have been happy that he spends the Xmas and New Year days in prison.

In prison, there is an air of expectancy throughout as the prisoners anticipate a Christmas visit from their families. Some lay silent on their bunk-beds, trying to recall memories of childhood Xmases. Past and distant images are awakened of family and friends gathered around the table laughing and eating, then later relaxing and exchanging
gifts. Images of PDP Chieftains, stalwarts and foot soldiers hovering around and sharing loots will be fresh to Ibori.
The prisoner tries hard to keep his mind off the length of his sentence and the crime he committed. This is a time to receive word from home-though some messages like the continued legal tackle of Uduaghan by Ogboru will prove painful to Ibori. The prisoner tries as he may to keep away from clouds of failures, mistakes, regret and remorse over crimes committed that have separated him from freedom;
bring salty raindrops in the form of tears.

Wil Ibori weep? Will he be remorse? Shall he regret his mistakes of imposing his cousin as his successor?
Actually, the Xmas season begins with Angel Tree program. Prisoners are asked to submit names and addresses of their children and what they would like to give their children for Xmas. In the United States, the Angel Trees are set up in shopping mall. On the branches hang the little angels with the name, age and clothing size of the prisoner’s children.
Shoppers chose an angel, purchase the requested gifts or an
alternative gift and present it to a volunteer sitting beside the tree.

A few days before Xmas, the gift is delivered to the prisoner’s child in the name of the parent. Who shall be the volunteer for Ibori’s children? Could the governor of Delta State and any of the beneficiaries of Ibori’s magnanimity please stand up? Excitement abounds in prison as the prisoners ask each other what they are requesting for their children. Beautiful Xmas card in multi-coloured envelopes begin arriving resulting in an atmosphere not felt during any other season of the year. Prisoners tape their Xmas
cards on the walls of their cells for others to see, and each day re-read the hand written messages inside.

A few days earlier, the Chaplain goes through the prison making sure that every one who wants a card to send home is given one. What Xmas message has Ibori for Deltans?
On Xmas day, the prison guards will turn their heads on some rules and regulations normally enforced such as dress codes, shakedowns and group gatherings. Prisoners try, with some difficulty, to be nice to the guards, and guards with some difficulty, try to be nice to prisoners. Both prisoners and guards will breath a sigh of relief when Xmas is over knowing both sides have come through without any trouble
or injuries.

Prison buzzer will be delayed so the prisoners can sleep late, then all will gather in the mess hall for the highlight of the day-Xmas dinner. The kitchen crew goes all out to prepare what the prisoners have requested including a mouth watering dessert.

This is the one day of the year when family members (not friends) are allowed to enter the cafeteria to eat with the loved ones.
It is a time of introducing their families to their friends. Those who do not have family visitors, regrettably, like Ibori whose wife and girlfriend are also jail birds, are usually invited to sit with thosewho do.

But don’t worry, Governor Uduaghan is a family member so
Ibori’s Xmas dinner will warm.

This is a great time of healing and bonding between prisoners.

Recreational priviledges will be extended. Prisoners who smoke exchange cigarettes for gifts. Those who do not smoke exchange candy bars, stamps or toiletries. These items are normally used for bartering and illegal gambling inside prison.

Prisoners are more spiritually sensitive during Xmas than any other time of the year. Some ‘make deals’ with God hoping to manipulate a miraculous pardon on Xmas day or an early release the next year.

May be Pastor Ayo and Archbishop Avwomakpa and their hosts are already fasting to effect this miracle for Ibori.

This is a day when the prisoner can feel contact with the outside world.

Families around the world are celebrating…Ibori too will
celebrate.

Even in his confined and confused setting, he will feel at
one with society—he will not feel like an outcast after all, the PDP family is a large one and the umbrella, if not perfectly perforated, will accommodate them all in prison.

Lesson to all corrupt politicians - its always better to face justice at home.

If Ibori had remained in Nigeria to face the music he would probably be a senator or something today.

You can buy your way out of anything in Nigeria - Instead the fool will be eating dry turkey,potatoes and some cabbage for xmas.

The poorest of villagers in my village are all more better off than Ibori and will enjoy a better xmas.