Ibori to face fresh trial in Nigeria –EFCC

Posted by admin Delta, EFCC Politics, State News Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commsion (EFCC) says embattled former
governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who is standing trial for money laundering
in London Court will still be tried for corruption whenever he returns to
Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued on behalf of the
commission by its acting head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwajaren .

Ibori, who had a running battle with the anti-graft body before he
escaped to Dubai in 2010, pleaded guilty to money laundering charges at the
Southwart Crown Court in Londonon Monday.
“Now that Ibori has owned up to his
crime, the commission is mindful of the concern in some quarters as to what
becomes of his case with the EFCC. Will he be arrested and tried again on the
completion of his jail term in London ? Or, will the EFCC close the Ibori
case?

“For the benefit of stakeholders and lovers of justice, it is
interesting to note that the offences for which Ibori faces imminent jail term
in London is only a minute aspect of the bouquet of offences committed by the
former governor during his eight year rule of 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. Moreover, the former
governor didn’t steal alone. There were accomplices and as recent as two weeks
ago, some persons, who allegedly assisted him to launder stolen funds were
questioned by the commission, the statement read in part.

It added: “The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received with happiness, the
news on February 27, 2012 to the effect that the former governor of Delta State
, Chief James Onanefe Ibori had pleaded guilty to fraud, stealing and money
laundering charges before a Southwark Crown Court in London. This, indeed, is a
welcome development, which vindicates the commission’s position ab initio that
Ibori had a case to answer.

“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. 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. For the avoidance of doubt, plea
bargain is not recognized in UK criminal justice system.”

“Sadly, 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 sensationally
acquitted him in December 2009. The Commission challenged the ruling. That
appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal, Benin City , Edo State
.

“While the EFCC looks forward to the sentencing of Ibori on April 16,
it is however, 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
guilt 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. In deed, Nigerians must rally in support of the dogged efforts of the
incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher to reform the
judiciary for greater efficiency.”

The EFCC assured Nigerians that the
law will still take its course on Ibori whenever he is repatriated.
EFCC is
determined to bring all Ibori accomplices to book, no matter how long it
takes.

“For now, the Commission awaits the sentencing of Ibori and, more
importantly, the 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.”

-Sun

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