Ibori Will Still Be Tried In Nigeria,’ EFCC Says
Posted: February 28, 2012 - 20:52

Following yesterday’s sensational guilty plea by former Delta State governor James Ibori in a London courtroom, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that it still intends to try him in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the commission’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC pointed out that the offences for which Ibori faces imminent jail term in London are but “a minute aspect of the bouquet of offences” he committed during the eight years he ruled Delta State.

“The bulk of the criminal charges against the former governor are still before courts in Nigeria and there are no plans to vacate those charges,” it said.

The Commission noted that Ibori did not steal alone, and that as recently as two weeks ago, it questioned some persons who allegedly assisted him to launder stolen funds, and underlined its determination to bring all of his accomplices to book, no matter how long it takes.

“The interesting aspect of the development in London is the fact that Ibori chickened out of a full blown fraud and money laundering trial by changing his plea,” the statement said. “This was purely a gambit to run away with a lighter sentence, rather than the product of a plea bargain as erroneously reported earlier in sections of the media.”

The EFCC regretted that it has taken five years of “legal rigmarole and high drama” for the former governor to own up to having committed some of the crimes for which Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba, acquitted him in December 2009, the subsequent appeal of which is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Benin City.

The Commission said it was a matter of concern that it took the intervention of the UK criminal justice system for justice to be served in the Ibori case. “While all who worry over the effect of corruption on our nation may celebrate the Ibori guilty plea, we must all spare a thought for our judiciary, which needs urgent reform to ensure that those who loot our treasury do not get away with their loot,” it said, and called for support of the “dogged” efforts of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, to reform the judiciary.

It said it was awaiting the sentencing of Ibori andthe repatriation of the funds stolen from the treasury of Delta State government. “That will be some just reward to Nigerians for the efforts and resources that have been committed to the corruption and money laundering investigation and trial of Chief James Ibori,” the statement concluded.


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/%E2%80%98ibori-will-still-be-tried-nigeria%E2%80%99-efcc-says

Ezi okwu

That justice who acquitted him in 2009 also needs to be jailed.

Good! After 10 years in the UK!
Olodosteins!
Where una dey before im reach Dubai?

Why EFCC nor try Igbinedion and Orji Kalu huh?

look at a toothless bulldog talking. when ibori was in naija what did the EFCC do? now the British govt has done what they should have done a long time ago.

...

"Ibori Will Still Be Tried In Nigeria,’ Efcc Says"

Clowns.

Real clowns. GEJ did a Charles Taylor on his behind.

Waiting to watch Beaf and the people of Delta Sttate give Ibori a hero's welcome when he finally arrives in Nigeria.

Afterall, Alams is currently a "wise-elder" under GEJ government & PDP 

Aigbofa:

"Ibori Will Still Be Tried In Nigeria,’ Efcc Says"

Clowns.

chino11:

In a statement signed by the commission’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC pointed out that the offences for which Ibori faces imminent jail term in London are but “a minute aspect of the bouquet of offences” he committed during the eight years he ruled Delta State.

“The bulk of the criminal charges against the former governor are still before courts in Nigeria and there are no plans to vacate those charges,” it said.

The Commission noted that Ibori did not steal alone, and that as recently as two weeks ago, it questioned some persons who allegedly assisted him to launder stolen funds, and underlined its determination to bring all of his accomplices to book, no matter how long it takes.

“The interesting aspect of the development in London is the fact that Ibori chickened out of a full blown fraud and money laundering trial by changing his plea,” the statement said.  “This was purely a gambit to run away with a lighter sentence, rather than the product of a plea bargain as erroneously reported earlier in sections of the media.”

The EFCC regretted that it has taken five years of “legal rigmarole and high drama” for the former governor to own up to having committed some of the crimes for which Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba, acquitted him in December 2009, the subsequent appeal of which is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Benin City.

Anuofias . . . .  make them no go bring am back come declare say im suppose serve less than he was sentenced in the UK.

You are on to something there.

Kobojunkie:

Anuofias . . . .  make them no go bring am back come declare say im suppose serve less than he was sentenced in the UK.

When worse criminals dan him are walking free under EFCC's watch& playing godfathers& pAtriots.EFCC is nothing but a bunch of comedians

Trying to make themslevs seem important and fit for purpose. Ibori romance with them here for years, nothing happen, Now that the Biritish Justice system has shown them how you finger out "A thief in Government house", they start to make noise.

Oya, Oga EfCC, show us that you are serious, go and Grab Ibori's brother, after all he was part and parcel of the Entire Grand theft Empire. Let them start wuth Uduaghan, he is there staring them Crow-Crow in the eye.

Nonsense talk from a useless organisation, infact efcc should be scraped, we can save the mney we are wasting on them, probably use it for oil subsidy for the massess

Don't worry EFCC. The british have done that successfully. However, busy urselves with Dariye, Nnamani, Bankole and the whole lot of them still in the country. stop making urselves a bunch of fools!

monkeyleg:

Trying to make themslevs seem important and fit for purpose. Ibori romance with them here for years, nothing happen, Now that the Biritish Justice system has shown them how you finger out "A thief in Government house", they start to make noise.

Nauseating actually. What did the EFCC do , other than watch, when Igbinedion got his "fine" under Waziri? Nigerians dont actually appreciate how bad things are currently. For a Nation being destroyed by corruption the PDP-led Government adopts a totally slack approach.

Terrorism is literally killing Nigeria yet those who sponsor it are avoided even when terrorist are found in their official lodge. Let us simply pray we make it to 2015. Hopefully by then Nigerians will understand the concept of putting ethnic, religious and sectional bias aside to at least cast their vote for those who have a history of efficacy as leaders.

Somebody should remind them that alameghsie is still in this country.

another round of plea bargain again? ibori will soon be a free man

EfCc Should keep quiet, is james Ibori the only corrupt gov official we have in this country, The world is watching us, the UK is already making munkering of our judicial system,i will alway say it that Nigeria is nt yet capable of governing themselve, Nigeria is just  like a story of a prodigal son?Nigeria is a fraud

@Gbawe,

My brother, EFCC is just another symptom of failure in Nigeria, another worthless, useless organisation. Not fit for purpose, setup as an avenue to spend out money foolishly. Really you cannot tell me that in country with some many "Thieves in Government", in and out of office, they are finding it difficult to find just one thief to catch. Just one, is all I asked them. The evidence is everywhere for them to see, even the woman that sells Akara on the street can do a better job.

For instance, Uduaghan. Anyone that knows him, knows he was a failed doctor that worked for DSC, and was summarily dismissed with his Blue Volks. Now this man was not successful in anyway. Simple question, where did he get all the money that he has used to contest the 3 elections he has been involved in? where did he get 10 billion Naira to sponsor his 22yr old daugther's NGO. I any society with the slightest semblance of common sense, these questions will be asked

we do not want trial. we want him to spend more 20 years in prison together with all  former 36 state governors. If you EFCC cannot fulfill this then shutup will do for now.

chino11:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that it still intends to try him in Nigeria,his country where he will be found innocent of all charges and eventually discharged and acquitted.

EFCC just wan save their urgly face. Where dem dey wen same Ibori was cleared and named a saint here? They should keep themselves busy with Bankole,, et al because very soon, Bankole and Co will soon be arrested in another part of Europe Or Middle East, smh. Fools!!!!!!!!!!!!

make I hear word. them plenty for ground here for u to jail. Gej , obj. are u waiting for london court? BASTARDS.

I think they should bring Ribadu back to EFCC once again

EFCC lost a landmark case with Ibori in Nigeria, maybe 3rd time is a charm   bloody clowns   Farida was Ibori's Legal Counsel before she became chairman of EFCC, Larmode (current Chairman) led the 170-count charge against Ibori and lost at the Federal High Court in Asaba (imagine that!!!) As Ex-Governor (exposed and without immunity) he influenced Yar'Adua (RIP) to stamp appointments of former Inspectors-General of Police, Mike Okiro and Ogbonnaya Onovo; former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri and former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa.

On September 10, 2007, Aondoakaa said in Abuja that the EFCC had cleared Ibori and former governors, Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom) and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Lagos), over the sale of their states’ shares in EWN when the EFCC had not concluded investigations.

Thank God for Wikileaks we now know that Yar'Adua and Aondoakaa pressured the UK government to drop the charges against ibori.

EFCC should start concentrating on doing their job and start fighting yesterday's battles they lost convincingly   It is hard to believe though that EFCC is a bastion of Swift - Justice it used to be, how i love teh witch-hunting days of Ribadu  

Even if Jesus becomes the Head of the EFCC, John the Baptist becomes the head of ICPC and the Holy Spirit becomes the Attorney General/Public Prosecutor, as long as the Nigerian Courts remain what it is today, NO HALF DECENT CROOK WOULD SPEND A NIGHT IN JAIL. . .

Blame the courts not the EFCC. . .

That is to show we Nigerians how filthy the Nigerian legal system is.

These bunch of inept clowns (Efcc) are basking in others glory. That so called Justice Marcel Awokulehin's sorry behind should be hauled before ICPC and the NJC's disciplinary bodies, to explain his curiously shady judgement in discharging and acquitting James Ibori, a known felon in Asaba in 2009.

Where are the Dariyes, Jolly Nyames, Saminu Turakis, Chimaroke Nnamanis et al that these jokers  called Efchinchin were supposed to be prosecuting? Or are they waiting for the British CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) to do their dirty work for them again? Shameless donkeys.

@ Post. LWKMD This EFCC for just close mouth nau. Try I bori my a$s.

Okija_juju:

Even if Jesus becomes the Head of the EFCC, John the Baptist becomes the head of ICPC and the Holy Spirit becomes the Attorney General/Public Prosecutor, as long as the Nigerian Courts remain what it is today, NO HALF DECENT CROOK WOULD SPEND A NIGHT IN JAIL. . .

Blame the courts not the EFCC. . .

^^^
Gbam.

Okija-juju, I hear you, the spirit of our ancestors. You have spoken very well.

The problem is not EFCC by the Nigeria legal system. CORRUPT.

Okija_juju:

Even if Jesus becomes the Head of the EFCC, John the Baptist becomes the head of ICPC and the Holy Spirit becomes the Attorney General/Public Prosecutor, as long as the Nigerian Courts remain what it is today, NO HALF DECENT CROOK WOULD SPEND A NIGHT IN JAIL. . .

Blame the courts not the EFCC. . .

Okija_Juju, more peace will rest on you and in your abode! You have spoken and it is so.

Off all these governors being mentioned by people here on this thread, which one of them was not charged to court; but the lawyers (NBA) and the judges , !

Nonsense talk - What do they do with him when he was in Nigeria.
I would advice to chase other corrupt people