₦airaland Forum

thou canst do nothing against d truth but for d truth

interesting times ahead

for jonathan it is largely a question of his performance. 2015 is still ahead, so it is still early in d day to draw a conclusion on his performance. If he is unable to tackle d problems he inherited and those created during his tenure, then he should forget it.

I think it is d north. From my own southern part of d country, if a boy (in those days) told his parents dat he wanted to be a soldier, d usual response would be 'u wan go die for nothing'. They preferred professions like law, engineering, medicine, etc. But not so with d north. I think they are excited about d armed forces. In addition, the fact dat most of d military rulers have been from d north have given dem d added advantage of having more northerners secure places in military schools and in employment into d armed forces

there is a law by d delta state house of assembly dat set up d office of d former governor and the office of d former deputy governor. felix ibru has such an office. His deputy simeon ebonka has one. Ibori has one, his deputy elue also has one. Uduaghan and his deputy Utuama will have theirs when they leave office. Some other states also have this pension package for their former govs/deputies. Civil servants are posted to run these offices. These offices are usually based where d principals reside. A monthly imprest is made available to the offices for fuel, newspapers, etc. The only difference is dat they are silent offices, unlike d major offices in d ministries. In fact they don't have signboards. This new signboard of d former deputy gov creates d impression dat it is new. Really it has been there.

FORMER Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, yesterday described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an organisation formed to persecute perceived opponents of  “political masquerades in the corridors of power”.

Ibori, governor of the South-South state between 1999 and 2007, is standing trial in London, Britain for money laundering.

In a report yesterday, a national newspaper alleged that Ibori laundered N1.6 billion in the guise of buying a private jet, using the account of the company of a popular businessman for the fraud.

In his reaction, Ibori said that the EFCC was an organisation that formulates lies to deal with opponents.

He said the report was “a dishonourable low-level cheap shot media manipulation attempt to sway public opinion” and misdirect his London trial.
Speaking through his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, in a statement, the former governor said: “It is unfortunate that while Nigerians wait in vain for the EFCC to unravel the massive petrol subsidy scam through which the nation loses billions of naira daily, EFCC is busy fighting yesterday’s battles and when not repeating old lies, is manufacturing spectacular new ones just to hoodwink the public.

“By sponsoring the totally idiotic and irredeemably nasty story which alleged that Ibori laundered money in the guise of buying a private jet, which EFCC now says was never bought, the EFCC should now tell Nigerians whether it is incompetent or a lie-enchanted agency or both. This is because the same EFCC has for over seven years claimed that it had uncovered how Ibori purchased a Challenger private jet from Canada.

“Now, if the EFCC is saying, seven years after it began its investigation, years after the agency arrested Ibori and charged him before a Kaduna Judge and court the same EFCC hand-picked, years after the full amount for the jet was said to have been restrained by a British court, is it now that the case against Ibori in a London court has entered the home stretch that the EFCC has suddenly realised that its claim that Ibori bought a private jet was totally unfounded? Now, where does that leave an on-line blog, Saharareporters and its story, “How James Ibori bought a Challenger jet”, now that EFCC has confessed that Ibori never bought a private jet? Will Ibori be expecting an apology from the media organisations that misled the public by trumpeting that lie cooked up by EFCC?

“The truth is that Ibori has been a victim of media manipulation and international conspiracy aimed at scoring a sinister political goal. Now that the trial has started, and time for the EFCC and the London Police to prove their corruption charges against Ibori, the London Police dramatically dropped all corruption charges – for want of evidence. With that alone, they vindicated Justice Marcel Awokulehin’s ruling at the Asaba Federal High Court – that there was no iota of evidence to back the corruption charges EFCC had instituted against ibori in Nigeria.

“Now, after years of Ibori having been made the face of corruption in Nigeria, all that faces him in London today is nothing but money laundering charges. Suddenly, the corruption charges trumpeted by sundry persons from E. K. Clark to Nuhu Ribadu and his two successors, that Ibori defrauded Delta State, evaporated! The London prosecutors, instead of proving corruption beyond all reasonable doubt, wishes to prove money laundering against Ibori through inference only, that is, by convincing a jury of white persons about the guilt of a Nigerian politician, where Ibori will be forced to carry the full weight of Nigeria’s well-recognised unsavoury image abroad.

“It is to sway the jury in the case and misinform the Nigerian public that the EFCC dreamed up this latest charge from the pit of hell – money laundering in the guise of buying a private jet. Was it not the same EFCC that claimed that Ibori had a private jet when none existed? Why did the EFCC not go the whole hog and confess that it lied against Ibori concerning that private jet claim? And even when the London case is now on the home stretch, EFCC said, in that planted story, that it was still investigating this latest money laundering claim through a million countries.
“Lesson: Nigerians should not expect a full report from it!

One day, the true story of Nigeria’s accursed anti-corruption lies will be told and Nigerians will know the real faces behind the masquerades they have been misled to applaud”.

@rasputin
Wrath of Deltans? Which Delta are you talking about? Ibori may not have much fans on the internet but he sure has a lot of people who love him. Ask teachers and civil servants in Delta State. Ask the market women. Ibori built bridges in Delta State, he tared roads, he built three polytechnics and a college of Physical education. You must be talking of some other Delta state. U want to create the impression that Ibori is hated in Delta State. Early in 2010, traditional rulers and leaders from Delta Central visited him in Oghara urging him to go for Senate because since Dafinone's time, the Urhobos have not seen a vibrant representation. Many of the Urhobo leaders who were angry with him because of Uduaghan's election in 2007 have forgiven him.It is no propaganda, but many Deltans will celebrate his return, just as those who hate him will be heart broken!
Yes, Jonathan should bring him back. He chased him out in the first place. Now he has achieved his aim. Sometimes our sense of objectivity is blinded by bias and hatred. Why did the US not extradict Cheney their VP when Nigeria requested for his extracdition to face corruption allegations in connection with the Halliburtion issue? You apostles of anti-corruption, where were u all?

I have some questions: Why has Britain not sentenced their citizen Ibori's lawyer who is said to be an accomplice in the allegations against Ibori when they have convicted Ibori's wife, sister and mistress? Why did the US not extradict Cheney their former VP to face trial in Nigeria?

The poster is on a propaganda mission. But he fails to understand that many visitors to this forum have passed their impressionable years!

Youths rally for Ibori in Warri, Eku
Cover Stories Apr 28, 2010

By Emma Arubi & Festus Ahon, Vanguard

WARRI—THOUSANDS of youths from the five ethnic nationalities that make up Delta State, yesterday, staged a massive protest against alleged continued harassment of the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
Also, youths of Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, protested at Eku for the same purpose.

Warri rally
The march organized by the Integrity Group which started as early as 7:30 a.m commenced from the play ground of the Yonwuren Grammar School, Ugbuwangue, to Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA expressway through the Warri/Sapele road and terminated at the Effurun roundabout at about 1:30pm. It disrupted commercial activities and brought vehicular movement to a stand-still.

The protesters demanded that the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Edwin Clark should halt the witch hunting of Chief Ibori who they said had done so much for the State during his tenure as the governor.

The youths carried a lot of placards with the inscription of “EFCC leave Ibori alone” “Chief Clark and Acting president Gooluck Jonathan should stop witch hunting ex- Governor James Ibori,” “Ibori is innocent, EFCC leave him alone,” “obey court orders and say no to this intimidation,” “our future must be safe guarded,” and “Ibori must not be victimized.”

Also at Eku
Youths of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, protested at Eku against moves by the EFCC to arrest Chief James Ibori.

The EFCC had declared Ibori wanted over fresh allegations of financial misappropriation leveled against him by the State Elders/Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, led by Chief E.K Clarke.

The placard carrying youths, under the aegis of Ethiope East Youth Forum, mounted roadblocks on the Warri-Sapele-Abraka road at Eku junction chanting songs of grievances.

A group of protesters under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Friday staged a protest against what it called “selective justice” by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

The placard carrying students, who stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, also described the commission’s actions against former Delta State governor, James Ibori as a “political witch hunt.”

Some of the placards read: ‘Respect court injuction’, ‘Leave Ibori to the law’, ‘EFCC must obey rule of law’, and ‘NANS says no to political witch hunting’.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Yinka Gbadebo, NANS Director of Action and Mobilisation, said it was wrong for EFCC to declare Mr. Ibori wanted days before the April 17 summon served him.

Mr. Gbadebo also condemned the commission’s action, stating that a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, restrained it from arresting the former governor, pending the determination of an earlier suit filed by Mr. Ibori.

“We want to sincerely advise the EFCC to carry out its holistic duties without prejudice or sentiment. All actions of the EFCC must be in conformity with the rule of law. Ibori should be re-arrested if a prima-facie case is established against him by a competent court of jurisdiction,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, EFCC Secretary, Emmanuel Akomaye, said the commission was neither selective nor vindictive, but dispassionate in discharging its duties.

He said that corruption posed a serious threat to the nation’s economy and image, adding that EFCC was working hard toward stemming the tide.

According to Mr. Akomaye, the commission does not go after people without having the necessary facts and jurisdiction to do so.

“The fight against corruption is our collective responsibility. Your message today will ginger us to do more work,” he said.

Students protest over Ibori at EFCC

A group of protesters under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Friday staged a protest against what it called “selective justice” by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

The placard carrying students, who stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, also described the commission’s actions against former Delta State governor, James Ibori as a “political witch hunt.”

Some of the placards read: ‘Respect court injuction’, ‘Leave Ibori to the law’, ‘EFCC must obey rule of law’, and ‘NANS says no to political witch hunting’.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Yinka Gbadebo, NANS Director of Action and Mobilisation, said it was wrong for EFCC to declare Mr. Ibori wanted days before the April 17 summon served him.

Mr. Gbadebo also condemned the commission’s action, stating that a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, restrained it from arresting the former governor, pending the determination of an earlier suit filed by Mr. Ibori.

“We want to sincerely advise the EFCC to carry out its holistic duties without prejudice or sentiment. All actions of the EFCC must be in conformity with the rule of law. Ibori should be re-arrested if a prima-facie case is established against him by a competent court of jurisdiction,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, EFCC Secretary, Emmanuel Akomaye, said the commission was neither selective nor vindictive, but dispassionate in discharging its duties.

He said that corruption posed a serious threat to the nation’s economy and image, adding that EFCC was working hard toward stemming the tide.

According to Mr. Akomaye, the commission does not go after people without having the necessary facts and jurisdiction to do so.

“The fight against corruption is our collective responsibility. Your message today will ginger us to do more work,” he said.

@abusol
Who told you that Ibori and his men killed Policemen. Poor you, you are one of those gullible people who swallow everything they read in the papers. The news making the rounds is that militants repelled the combined team that was sent to arrest Ibori. This is pure rubbish. No group can withstand the govt. sabotaging oil installions is different from confronting directly the federal forces. The truth is that the team that came to arrest him were resisted with stones by the women and youths. Even the team NEVER fired a shot. Ignore saharareporters
@chidichris
Elections are here; and they are afraid of the man

Who is Okiro? And what is the relationship between him and Jonathan?

Any sensible person knows that this write up is a stupid propaganda meant to incite the authorities to arrest Ibori. No individual is more powerful than the govt. The IG cannot disobey the directive of the C-in-C, neither can the CP disobey the IG. The restraint is simply because the issue is in court. Stop wipping up useless sentiments. We are not all gullible readers

@citizen Y
I truly relish the pleasure of your face frowning when you read my comment above because it did not go the mainstream of Crucify Ibori campaign which you like to propagate. If it grieves you that much, you can go and eat shit.

Honesty, you represent a sadistic section of the Nigerian politician who do nothave respect for the rule of law and due process. Akpafefe!

@jp philips
I can perceive your discomfit and fear. Certainly, it gives you pain to read comments that are at variance with your prejudice and sentiments. If i have been paid to blew Ibori's trumpet, who paid you to write what you wrote? You have left the substance of the issues and are playing to the gallery. Lilliputan skull!

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?

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

Most of the comments already expressed are just full of sentiments. They have failed to look at the merits of the issues at stake. EFCC says it invited Ibori thru Delta State Government officials. Isnt this stupid? Why should they invite him thru a third party? Ok, they claim he has been evasive, but this has been shown to be a lie. In 2007, Ibori was arrested and was in detension for two months. During that arrest, they took his particulars, name, address, phone number. Why did they not call him or send him a letter (which they eventually did at his Lagos residence after declaring him wanted).Who showed them his house address. They requested him to appear before them on 17th of April and yet went ahead to declare him wanted on 13th! four clear days before the expiration date. This smacks of insincerity and sheer mischief and some sinister motive. And may i ask, is this the first time that a court would give an interim injunction on no-arrest concerning a citizen? Why the oh oh oh about Ibori. My point is this. If the EFCC has a good case against Ibori, it must follow due process. We are not in a military era. Let them follow the democratic process. Already information has leaked out that they want to extradite him to Uk, and he has been tipped off. Ibori knows what they are up to and will not submit himself. In ideal societies, if you are interrogated and found chargeable, they take you to court.

This report gives the impression that Jonathan is afraid that Yar'Adua may get well. Why should Jonathan be?

We are not left in doubt that this write-up is a stupid propaganda. Why are some people afraid that the President may get well? The AP is doing well and the nation is moving. Whether Yar'a dua lives or dies is in the hand of God, not propaganda. They said he was dead; later they said he was on life support machine; so now he could even sit up. Na wao!

The Governmrnt of Jonathan has the prerogative to withdraw a charge against anyone. So what the AP has done is in line with his powers. But the wise thing would have been to allow Ribadu to face the charges and let the courts free him since it is believed that the case has no substance. If another govt comes up tomorrow, it can reopen the case against Ribadu. See? This seeming favour is not the best for Ribadu. Let him come home, face the charge in court and get discharged and acquitted

I just read the bomb alert issued by MEND. One thing that strung me is the idea given by MEND that we have had enough of talks and conferences. I agree totally. What we want to see is action. We are tired of talk talk every day!

I have been havin a few disagreements with my fiancee that bother on our different notions on carin, and she accuses me of not bein loyal and caring enough. Let me give an example. She visited recntly. As I was walking her to my house, she suddenly thrust her bag at me and said, 'Carry it!' She was slightly angry. She expected me to have taken her bag from her without her askin. Now get this clear: It is not like the hand bag is heavy or she is weary and needs assistance. No, she sees it from the perspective of coursy and respect. I know that this is the result of our backgrounds. She comes from a background where a mother dominate all and call the shots at home; mine is the opposite. I have unlearned some of the things i saw in my home and made a lot of compromise, but i am honestly uncomfortable with carrying my girl's handbag along the road while she walks free in the name of coursey. I need your objective view on this. I readily make adjustments, if i am convinced about an issue; otherwise, i am a firm person.

The NBA has been one strong, united body that has so far made its contributions in our quest to move the nation forward. A minor issue like this should not be allowed to divide the NBA. I would advise the NBA Pesident to reconsider the issue.

Fashola owes loyalty to whoever put him there: Lagosians or Tinubu?

Any discerning mind can perceive that the purpose of this thread is to reenforce, reaffirm, intensify and sustain the belief that the absence of the President has created big problems, and heat up the polity.

I believe that the media has done more harm than good in the present situation we find ourselves. They heat up the polity thru their reporting. There is no doubt that many of the newspaper houses are not objective in their reporting. Many a time u find that their headlines are screaming, but when you read the content, u find something different. Often headlines are coloured and tilted towards the political leanings of the editor. Now what does the Sun Newspaper mean by 'Jonathan in Trouble?' The other day, Vanguard Newspaper headline was 'Go, Yar'Adua Go!' Words of people are taken out of context and coloured to suit their agenda. Apart from The Guardian Newspaper, many of the other dailies are not objective and often have political inclinations. Of course, many of them are owned and funded by politicians; so we may not expect anything less. Jonathan is not in trouble, and what will be will take its natural course. The media should stop heating up the nation; if this country fails, the media shall have a large share of the blame. Many of them dont have anything else to tell the nation apart from the health of Yar'Adua. Wetin!

something very fundamental is wrong with nigeria, and we know it!

@illusion 2
People have a right to protest anywhere, whether they are paid to do so or not. It is an illusion to believe that they are 'a goner' to protest in Lagos. As usual the world of the cyberspace is different from the real world. Friend, you can do absolutely nothing against them if they protest in Lagos. Despise them, or at best, criticise them.