₦airaland Forum

Twenty-four hours after President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua announced that he had authorised a visit to Nigeria by the London Metropolitan Police conducting a criminal investigation of Chief James Ibori, the Delta State government has secured a court injunction to halt the process.
A Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday issued an order of interim injunction, which restrains the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from carrying out certain actions against some serving and erstwhile office holders in Delta State, including former governor, Ibori.
It is not yet clear what effect this would have on the Met Police investigation since the EFCC has conducted one earlier.
The order, signed by the Presiding Judge, Justice G.C. Okeke, was in response to an ex-parte application by the Attorney-General of Delta State, the Delta State Government, Secretary to the Delta State Government and the Auditor-General of Delta State asking for an injunction restraining the EFCC, its Chief Executive and/or the Attorney-General of the Federation (the defendants) from carrying certain actions being contemplated against the applicants.
In the order, the court, which also fixed October 30, 2007 as the date for the hearing of the “Motion on Notice”, equally restrained the defendants’ agents or privies from acting in any manner against the plaintiffs in regard of the concerned prayers upon which the order was issued.

This should made an interesting 'TV-Series' Lets seat back and see where this drama ends.

Btw: I have copyright to this 'TV-Series: The Rich, The Corrupt and The law'

The biggest judgment so far by the election petition tribunals on the April 2007 polls was delivered in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday, and it was very damning on the Independent National Electoral Commission (IN-EC).
The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in the state capital nullified the election of the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the ground of unlawful exclusion of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, from the April 14 gubernatorial election.

There is indeed bright light for Nigeria if such could sustained over another 4yrs.

People will learn; you cant do rubbish and expect to get away.

Kudo to Justice Bako: He is one of the 'man of the year 2007'

surely, we have not sank to the level of Pakistan and yet we are called most corrupt country in the world.

sometimes, I believe the 'WEST' need to a have a 'people' they can bash: Nigeria fits since we dont talk; take all sort of abuse.

The former Pakistani prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, may avoid a money-laundering trial in Switzerland thanks to a new corruption amnesty at home.
A "reconciliation ordinance" issued by the Pakistani government last week grants across-the-board immunity for politicians who were active between 1988 and 1999.


Daniel Zappelli, the general prosecutor of Geneva, is facing a quandary. Should the politician and her husband stand trial now that Bhutto has been granted an amnesty by her own country?



The couple were accused of receiving multi-million dollar kickbacks in exchange for handing out a contract to a Swiss firm during Bhutto's second term in office between 1993 and 1996.



The couple were first convicted of simple money laundering in 2003 by a Geneva investigating judge who handed down a six-month suspended sentence. The Bhuttos appealed against the magistrate's decision but were later accused of more serious money laundering offences.



Most observers agree the amnesty signed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was part of pre-election horse-trading. It paves the way for a power-sharing deal between the two politicians, which could see long-exiled Bhutto move back into the prime minister's job next year.


Cases "withdrawn"

The Pakistani minister for law affairs, Zahid Hamid, said in Islamabad last week that five corruption cases were still pending against Benazir Bhutto abroad while six cases were pending against her husband Asif Zardari.



Hamid added that corruption cases against the couple pending in foreign courts would be dropped.



"Any case against any holder of the public office registered before October 1999 and still pending with the courts would be withdrawn under the ordinance," Hamid explained.



However Dominique Henchoz, the lawyer representing the Pakistani government in Geneva said it was still not clear whether legal action would be stopped.



"We'll have to wait to examine the exact wording used in the decree," he added. "Because surely to speak of an amnesty implies that there has been an act of corruption?"



An official at the Pakistani embassy in Bern declined to comment on the case when contacted by swissinfo, saying that it was being handled directly from Islamabad.


Frozen accounts

The case, opened in 1998, involved the Geneva-based Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), the world's biggest verification, testing and certification services group.



The three investigating judges in Geneva who have dealt with the file for a decade found that Bhutto and her husband received $12 million (SFr14.25 million) in Swiss bank accounts belonging to companies registered in the Virgin Islands and Panama.



Assets belonging to the Bhuttos were frozen following an official Pakistani request in 1997. Following the amnesty, it is not clear who will claim these funds.



Vincent Fournier, one of the three judges, has confirmed his office is about to pass on the case to the prosecutor.



"It is surprising to note that for ten years Pakistan has constantly pushed us to see that justice be done. And now, in the light of a change of political allegiance, Madame Bhutto benefits from an amnesty," Fournier pointed out.



Bhutto's lawyer Alec Raymond believes the situation is now crystal clear. From the moment where there is no prior crime, "there cannot be money laundering. We are heading for the end of the Geneva procedure," he told swissinfo.



Meanwhile Bhutto is preparing for her homecoming after eight years of exile. She is scheduled to return to Pakistan on October 18. Her husband will remain in Dubai.

We should rather not wash out dirty linen in public but deal with 'corrupt politicians in our own way, if we have any.

There was Snow way back in 1978 in Rukuba area of Jos.

There are usually hail stones every year; sometimes in June/July.

Lovely place.

Shame that reglious riots dented the image of this lovely city.

what benefit is $40billion reserve doing for Nigerians?


They still have to pay so high VAT where prices is already the most expensive in the world with bad quality.

welcome to yaradu-conomics

it is in order: Igbo Made Jeep.

We should all embrass it.

BMW = baverian motor works.

It is made by the proud 'Bayerns'; yet everyone/Germans see at as German machine.

come to think of it. some of these guys are now ex-senators,

so what has EFCC done with them?

new election that OPEN to all!!!!

Well events have now showed that I was correct.

"The British Director of Public Prosecution further informed his Nigerian counterpart of the intention to appeal the decision to discharge the restraint order and an application to stay the decision pending determination of appeal.

"He further urged the AGF to prevail on the investigating agency in Nigeria to make available to him evidence it has obtained of the offences committed by Mr. Ibori in view of the 'real practical difficulties about getting unimpeded access to evidence obtained by the EFCC in Nigeria.'


This is what BP/EFCC should have done earlier instead of you all blaming AGF for reply a letter with true facts.

Now let see what Ibori's lawyer will do now.

Same thing happened in the Andy Uba case in America.

Andy case different. He pleaded with US courts and he was fined for his 'offence' not crime.

EFCC should have taken the matter up when Andy arrives in Nigeria and press 'Nigeria' charges against him so that he has a criminal record in Nigeria.

As it stands EFCC screwed that again.

Andy Uba is free to become whatever in likes in Nigeria since no legal rope on this neck; thats why he contest and won Governorship.

In all these cases, I find EFCC liable.

How did Alameyesiegha arrive Yenogoa undetected after fleeing from london as a woman?

you missed it again. Alam is a Nigeria!

How many people with "Nigerian" passports are really Nigerians?

who does that mean? Nigeria operate dual-citizenship. So many people could have Nigeria passport and still have Origin of another country.

And your facts and rule of law support the AGF to reply Ibori's counsel's questions about Ibori's allegation (within days) without liasing with the appropriate agency handling the investigation but then will choose to write a delayed letter to EFCC when the other party makes the same request.

Correction: AGF is not liable to liase with any agency if he knows the full details of what is needed. He simply bears responsibility. AGF needs to answer why he replied fast or slow to each letter.

Fact remains: If this LETTER is so crucial and the BP/EFCC are serious; they would have asked for adjourment, get AGF to reply their letter or ask the Judge to discount the Ibori's letter as invalid.

They did neither; because its not the letter or speed it was written/replied that got the case won but the CONTENT; which are TRUE FACTS.

EFCC/BP basically cannot dispute the CONTENT of that letter.

A lawyer's brief is to do everything for his client to WIN and not loose.

If the Immigration services are really working we would know who are Nigerians and who are not.  Right now, so we?

wrong this is not about people already in Nigeria but people wanting to coming to Nigeria. two different things.

Please, let us stop the sham of selective law enforciement

who else have been allowed without showing their evidence they would not overstay?

Meanwhile we have Togoleese, chadians, people from the Rep of Benin and many others flooding the streets of Nigeria on a daily basis  with Nigerian passports may I add

you are not in tune with Nigeria or ECOWAS.

There is freedom of movement within ecowas people; they dont need visa to come to Nigeria nor do you need visa to go ecowas countries.

@McKren,

The AGF replied Ibori's counsel with a letter dated 7th August while that of Ibori's counsel in london was dated 4th August, in essence it took him 3 days to reply Ibori's request.

Met Police wrote him a letter dated 30th August but the AGF only sent a request to EFCC to furnish him dossiers on Ibori by Friday 28th September when the case will be decided on Moday 1st October in London. In essence it took him 1month to even research dossiers from the EFCC.

I don't hold brief for AGF but BP police should have seek adjourment till they get their own letter from AGF. It is that simple.

If this letter is 'KEY'; why can't BP police seek adjourment, why can't the british Judge delay judgement?  But they are eager to accept only letter from Ibori's lawyer by AGF.

Even at that content of AGF letter to Ibori lawyer are TRUE FACTS

Also if AGF did not give BP a response to their letter, the British judge can simple rule that letter from AGF to Ibori lawyer would not be tenable for this case.

A witness cannot refused to be cross-examined by defence or prosecuting lawyer as AGF is being cross-examined here.

People should stop being emotional and look at facts and rule of law.

Note: I don't not support corruption in any disguise but 'RULE OF LAW' and true facts must prevail at all time. Today it is Ibori, tomorrow it could be anyone.

well it is correct.

He should show evidence that he will not over stay his visa!.

It is not the duty of the president to organize boxing matches, so why are you talking about Yar'adua?

I did not mention that yaradua should organise boxing match. did I?

see below my statement

>>This made more sense and cost Nigeria nothing compared to yaradua employing and wasting our money on some stupid lobbyist!<<

means instead of yaradua 'wasting our money on some stupid 'america lobbyists'; they should talk/encourage nigerians in various field, who can help lobby our image much better, cheaper by doing what they know best; their professions.

Looks like the rumble in the jungle would be real.

Peter won his title match; this is one guy doing Nigeria great.

http://africa.reuters.com/sport/news/usnBAN729536.html

And you honestly think the EFCC will get any serious cooperation or go ahead from this AGF to do what you just suggested?

yes. they should bring their facts to gether and press charges for those erring corrupt people. If they dont get any good response; they should table it with Nigerians.

This is democracy and nigerians have a voice but I guess EFCC already damaged itself when people like OBJ, Annenih are walking free; so nigerians may not listen to them.

lesson:
if you really want a reform to work. It is must be 'fair to all' and 'consistent', which sadly EFCC did not follow.

It was gathered that having observed that the same government agency (EFCC) that initiated the case had suddenly lost interest and was no more providing the evidence to nail their man, "the CPS lawyers and the Met Police threw in the towel, knowing that Ibori could turn around and claim damages through his legal team."

again, that shows EFCC screwed up.

The question; is the content of AGF letter true or false? TRUE. case closed.

EFCC should learn from this and ensure that a criminal record is established against corrupt officials in Nigeria before trying to get their foreign assets frozen.

The organiser of "The Rumble in the Jungle", one of the world's greatest boxing fights, says he would like a similar contest in Africa again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7030330.stm

This made more sense and cost Nigeria nothing compared to yaradua employing and wasting our money on some stupid lobbyist!

Britain will roll out their 'Saldin' and 'Saracen'. . . Russia will bring back their 'MIG-17'. . . perhaps US will remember their retired 'B-28'. . . just to keep Nigeria confused. . . errrr. . . I mean, 'United'. I am not sure that break up thingy is happening so soon

Nothing can stop a movement' , whose time has come.

don't really see anything wrong with it, many countries do it to attract more investors,

did Nigeria paid south africa lobbysit before MTN stormed Nigeria?

Investors will go anywhere once there is money to be made

mikeansy,

if you have better arguement to topic at hand; write or keep your peace!

well yaradua has no clue, this is opportunity for him to take some action and lead.

I expect him to task our military guys to launch real incursion into enemy zone and fish out those responsible.

They should be brought to trial in Lagos.

This will show the whole-world, no-one mess with Nigeria.

Alas, the foolish govt is busy stealing money, and family of dead soldiers may never get any compensation.

Hell, even japanese companies (Toyota, Sony et al) have lobbyists working for them in the corridors of power.

Nigeria is not a company.

If yaradau fix all those things Mckren mentioned.

Nigeria would have lobby its own image by have solid infra plus gainful employee citizens.

I am not surpise, what do you expect from relunctant president?'