The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has called on the Federal Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC and other relevant agencies to immediately activate the processes that will urgently resume the trial of ex-convict James Ibori, former governor of Delta state for the corruptions allegations against him.
News broken today by the media, reported the return of the ex-convict James Ibori, a former governor of Delta state, upon the completion of his term over money laundering charges. Mr. Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman of the Centre said “CACOL’s immediate reaction which is what we had always maintained is that all the cases against Ibori in Nigeria should be re-opened.”
“This is very important considering the effrontery represented in Ibori’s dare to return to the country like some ‘hero’. The shame and consequence of the delay or failure to act now is better imagined than seen.”
“Any dilly-dallying would put a bigger question mark on the anti-corruption drive than hitherto known, given that as far back as July last year, the EFCC was already talking about reopening Ibori’s. So there is no reason why reopening Ibori’s cases should be delayed, because the FG, EFCC and other agencies also followed the UK trial and conviction of the former governor who cunningly wiggled through the judicial labyrinth in Nigeria.” He said
Last year July, the Federal Government according to media reports, in line with its anti-corruption drive decided to reopen corruption cases against former Delta state governor, James Ibori and 30 other former governors. The Federal government had said it had taken the step through the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, in a letter written to the ICPC, instructing the Commission to forward the case files of all former governors that are standing trial for corruption.
Concluding, CACOL’s chairman said “In fact we believe all preparations should have been completed prior to the convict’s return to the country. Our demand therefore, is for the Federal government to reopen the corruptions cases against Chief James Ononefe Ibori, who just returned to the country after serving his jail term in the United Kingdom over money laundering. That is how to welcome the ex-convict back, to put him in his rightful place!”
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