This is James Ibori the former Governor of Delta State in Nigeria. Who would have thought that the mighty politician who paraded himself as the kingmaker in People Democractic Party (PDP), the ruling party in the Country would be seen like this - behind bars.
The day the judgement was pronounced in London, i felt sad for our Country. Ibori was initially charged in this Country but a Judge dismissed the case and announced to all of us that Ibori has no case to answer. Even the people that he stole from unfortunately were defending him and attacking the Economic and Financial Crime Commission Officials that went to arrest him. What a pity!
Mr Ibori was extradited to the UK from Dubai in April, and prosecutors decided he would be tried alongside a co-defendant, Emmanuel Preko, who was already slated to be tried. Mr. Ibori faced 14-count charge relating to money laundering in the UK of billions of naira stolen from the treasury of Delta state and had been in detention in London since last year. He actually remained in prison until his case was heard. This would have not happened in Nigeria where the Judges are always bribed to acquit a notorious criminals and Politicians.
Because of the delay in commencing the trial, Mr Ibori's Barrister, Nicholas Purnell QC, referred to in court by other members of the defence team and the Judge as "one of the finest legal minds of this generation", told the court he had been forced to withdraw his services from Mr Ibori because of the schedule. Well this time around, it was not only Ibori that had to face the music but his associates, wife, mistress and lawyer, were all convicted in London.
One Mr Aina said it was not clear to him that what Mr Ibori is accused of was considered illegal in Nigeria. Hear him
"Due to differences in practice between here and Nigeria, it has not yet been established that whatever did or did not take place in Nigeria is in fact criminal, or is malpractice that falls short of criminality,"
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Judge Pitts said he received this statement with "some surprise". The Judge should not have been surprised because some Lawyers and Judges in Nigeria are corrupt and money can make them say or do anything. So shameful that people went to London to show solidarity as the the public gallery was full of Mr Ibori's supporters, including Chief P D Oboh, who hails from Mr Ibori's home village. Also in court it was noticed that the court usher, the official monitoring the recording of proceedings, and the guard who brought Mr Ibori up from the cells are Nigerians living in London.
Finally on Tuesday April 17 2012, JAMES ONANEFE IBORI was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Southwark Crown Court in London. I described the conviction and sentencing as a great lesson as well as food for thought to Nigerians in positions of authority. As Afe Babalola rightly pointed out in an interview, those who are entrusted with public funds should refrain from diverting it to private use. Furthermore, it should now be clear to all that no matter how long it takes, the law will always catch up with those who act contrary to it. Unfortunately, Ibori is just one out of 36 former Governors that has been caught.
The lawyer, who noted that there were many ‘Iboris’ in and out of government, said the conviction of the ex-governor should teach those entrusted with state funds to refrain from diverting it to private pockets.
“The wheels of justice may turn slowly but they always catch up with the offender.”
He added, “The sentencing of former Governor James Ibori demonstrates that plea bargaining through which his guilty plea was agreed and obtained can, if properly annexed, be of benefit in Nigeria’s criminal administration. Consequent upon his guilty plea and imminent sentencing, much of the funds which were looted from the treasury of Delta State will be returned to the state. Without plea bargaining, the process would have taken much longer.”
Ibori’s case exposed the weakness in the country’s judicial system and confirmed the level of criminal compromise. Even the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has been compromised. Founding Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said the convicting and sentencing of Ibori was a challenge to Nigerian judiciary and a signal to the public.
Akanbi in an interview, said it was puzzling that Ibori, who was acquitted of all the corruption and money laundering charges by a Nigerian judge, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by a British Court.
Akanbi said,
“The conviction of Ibori is a challenge to Nigerian judiciary.
“We must be able to make sure that we really fight against corruption and corrupt practices so that once we solve the problem of corruption, a lot of problems would have fizzled out. I am happy that at least, Ibori has been convicted and hope that other corrupt people will also be dealt with and accordingly.”
With Ibori's conviction, we all need to arise and agree that the crimes of unbridled looting of Local Government, State or Federal treasuries is no longer acceptable as it is a a crime that must be condemned by all. That era of abuse of state power and converting of state into family business is over.
It is shameful indeed that while a foreign country feels appalled by this expression of bovine predilection for the acquisition of ill gotten wealth, Nigeria keeps celebrating the worst species of the human race. There are many Iboris in and out of government. We will only be taken seriously when we display sufficient courage to send them to where they belong - jail.
