DELTA ELDERS & ELITES: FROM CLAIMING THE OWNERSHIP OF A PUBLIC THIEF, TO NOW DEMANDING FOR THE REFUND OF STOLEN DELTA STATE PUBLIC FUNDS – AND STILL ON THE CALL FOR THE £4.2MILLION IBORI LOOT STOLEN FROM DELTA STATE BE USED FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN DELTA STATE, E.G – THE OSUBI-WARRI EXPANSION/UPGRADE TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PROJECT
March 10, 2021 | News
When I saw recent reports that the Delta Elders Forum (DEF) and Delta Elites have opposed the plan of the Federal Government to use the 4.2million Pounds stolen from the State by former Governor James Ibori, which the British Government is refunding, to complete roads in other parts of the country, whereas Federal roads in Delta State have all dilapidated,
DELTA ELDERS & ELITES: FROM CLAIMING THE OWNERSHIP OF A PUBLIC THIEF, TO NOW DEMANDING FOR THE REFUND OF STOLEN DELTA STATE PUBLIC FUNDS – AND STILL ON THE CALL FOR THE £4.2MILLION IBORI LOOT STOLEN FROM DELTA STATE BE USED FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN DELTA STATE, E.G – THE OSUBI-WARRI EXPANSION/UPGRADE TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PROJECT
When I saw recent reports that the Delta Elders Forum (DEF) and Delta Elites have opposed the plan of the Federal Government to use the 4.2million Pounds stolen from the State by former Governor James Ibori, which the British Government is refunding, to complete roads in other parts of the country, whereas Federal roads in Delta State have all dilapidated, I could not help but wonder; are these not the same Delta elders and elites who, amongst many others, had organized a red carpet reception for Ibori when he was out of the UK prison after serving a jail term for money laundry and fraud against Delta State? Are these not the same Delta elders and elites who said then, that no money was stolen by their son, James Ibori? The same people who take Ibori as their ‘political emperor’, and even up till now, they see Ibori as their ‘hero,’ who is still the one directing Delta State leaders and elders, and who they still seek for his blessings to become a Governor of Delta State or other political positions in the State Government?
One begins to wonder why are these Delta State elders and elites now demanding for? While I totally agree with the statement made by the Delta State elders and elites that the said money belongs to the Delta State Government and its people, and not the Federal Government, and they indicated that they would take the Federal Government to court over the matter and asked the state government to follow suit, as it was the rightful owner. But the question that one needs to be considered is: Has the Delta elders and elites even blamed James Ibori for illegally exporting the State’s money to the UK? Why did the Delta state elders and elites not join hands with the Federal Government of Nigeria to support the UK Government throughout the prosecution of Ibori in the UK Crown Court, which led to his conviction and imprisonment?
Are the Delta elders not ashamed that they are now requesting for the same money to be used to fund projects in Delta State? The truth is that, if the Federal Government had not joined hands with the UK Government to fight and eventually jail Ibori, and then seek to seize and repatriate all the money he had stolen from the State, would the Delta elders and elites have the opportunity now, to be demanding for the funds be returned to the State? I still remember the millions of Dollars used by Ibori to try and bribe the former EFCC boss, Ribadu, which he rejected and deposited the money at the Central Bank of Nigeria to keep. My argument then was that the said money should have been given to Delta State because it actually belongs to the State.
In all of this, where were the Delta elders and elites who said then that no money was stolen by Ibori? So, what are they demanding for now? I am surprised to read that the Oghara elites (where Ibori is from), are still saying they are fully backing Ibori. One begins to wonder when will Nigerians stop to claim the ownership of public thieves. The usual talk is: "Na our brother, na our money he thief, leave am alone. Na only him thief sef". All of this would not have happened if our Delta elders/elites and State Government had joined hands with the Federal government to aid the UK government to prosecute Ibori, and outrightly condemn his thievery of the State funds while as Governor. Because of the subject of Ibori, many of my critics always say: "you no dey tire for Ibori talk?" And I tell them that I will continue to condemn what is bad and evil in our society, no matter who or what is involved, and also commend what is commendable.
Though, I have reacted on this subject matter earlier on March 9th, 2021, where I urged the Federal Government to use the recovered loot of Ibori to fund infrastructural projects in Delta State, like the Osubi-Warri Airstrip Expansion/Upgrade Project to a standard International Airport, especially since the money was stolen from Delta State in the first place. And the justification for this argument, was further reiterated recently by Human Rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).
Falana, who faulted the statement made by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that the Ibori’s recovered loot would not be handed over to the Delta State Government because the crime that led to the diversion of the funds was a federal one, and that one of the conditions for the UK repatriating the Ibori loot was that the money must be tied to certain federal projects which include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja-Kano rail and the Second Niger Bridge and a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed between both parties.
However, Mr. Femi Falana described Malami’s position as faulty, and said giving the Ibori loot to the Federal Government was at variance with Section 162 of the Constitution. Falana said, “The £4.2m does not belong to the Federal Government. The money confiscated from Governor Joshua Dariye in the United Kingdom was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to Nigeria and returned to the Plateau State Government. The money confiscated from Governor DSP Alamieyesigha in the UK was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to Nigeria and remitted to the Account of Bayelsa State Government. The sum of £4.2m confiscated from Governor James Ibori in the United Kingdom and recovered by the Federal Government has to be remitted to the Account of the Delta State Government.”
He said the memorandum of understanding signed by the representatives of the British Government and the Federal Government cannot supersede the constitution which has prohibited any form of discrimination in the country. And like I said before now, supposing such monies were stolen from the Government coffers of other States like Kano, Kaduna or even Abuja the nation’s capital, will the Federal Government re-channel the recovered loot to address some projects in the South-South or South-East? Let us be real and truthful with ourselves here because we all know the answer to that question! It is even more shocking to note that, over £100m (N527bn), stolen by former Governor James Ibori, and his associates, is still being expected by the Federal Government. This was revealed recently too by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. We can just imagine the amount of public funds that was stolen by one person and his family, friends and associates. All of Ibori’s stolen loot from the coffers of Delta State Government, is enough to transform cities in Delta State to look like Dubai. Yet, some persons today are still regarding Ibori as their hero and leader. What a shame! I challenge them; how many of Delta State persons, elders and elites have consistently criticized Ibori for all the atrocities he has committed against the State and its common masses?
Away from that, while Falana’s line of argument is valid and in support of my position on this issue, however, like I said in my previous write-up on this, the Federal Government should, by themselves, use the said recovered funds for the suggested expansion/upgrade of the Osubi-Warri Airstrip to a Standard International Airport, as well as other capital infrastructural projects that would solely benefit the common masses of Delta State. And that such spending of the said loot by the Federal Government to execute these infrastructural projects in Delta State, should be transparently done, without any involvement of the Delta State Government and its Officials, for the interest of the good people of Delta State. This is to avoid a situation where the said monies may end up again in the private pockets of the corrupt-laden Delta State Government.
As noted by Benson Ugen: “If the Federal Government decides to return Ibori loot to Delta State, in all honesty, the State Government will return the money to Ibori with a serious apology for the inconveniences and embarrassment caused by the British and Federal Government.” To me, I believe this statement, and the fact that Ibori is still Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’ “super -godfather and mentor”. So, in my opinion, there is every likelihood that Okowa may return the money to his political boss, James Ibori, if the Federal Government decides to give the recovered loots to the Delta State Government. This is why I have advised that the Federal Government should by themselves, use the said recovered Ibori’s loots, including the ones to come, to fund the execution of Federal infrastructural projects in Delta State, especially the Osubi-Warri Airstrip expansion/upgrade project to a standard International Airport, and other projects in Delta State. Instead of gifting the recovered funds to Governor Okowa, and his political boss, Ibori.
Zik Gbemre.
March 10, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
When I saw recent reports that the Delta Elders Forum (DEF) and Delta Elites have opposed the plan of the Federal Government to use the 4.2million Pounds stolen from the State by former Governor James Ibori, which the British Government is refunding, to complete roads in other parts of the country, whereas Federal roads in Delta State have all dilapidated, I could not help but wonder; are these not the same Delta elders and elites who, amongst many others, had organized a red carpet reception for Ibori when he was out of the UK prison after serving a jail term for money laundry and fraud against Delta State? Are these not the same Delta elders and elites who said then, that no money was stolen by their son, James Ibori? The same people who take Ibori as their ‘political emperor’, and even up till now, they see Ibori as their ‘hero,’ who is still the one directing Delta State leaders and elders, and who they still seek for his blessings to become a Governor of Delta State or other political positions in the State Government?
One begins to wonder why are these Delta State elders and elites now demanding for? While I totally agree with the statement made by the Delta State elders and elites that the said money belongs to the Delta State Government and its people, and not the Federal Government, and they indicated that they would take the Federal Government to court over the matter and asked the state government to follow suit, as it was the rightful owner. But the question that one needs to be considered is: Has the Delta elders and elites even blamed James Ibori for illegally exporting the State’s money to the UK? Why did the Delta state elders and elites not join hands with the Federal Government of Nigeria to support the UK Government throughout the prosecution of Ibori in the UK Crown Court, which led to his conviction and imprisonment?
Are the Delta elders not ashamed that they are now requesting for the same money to be used to fund projects in Delta State? The truth is that, if the Federal Government had not joined hands with the UK Government to fight and eventually jail Ibori, and then seek to seize and repatriate all the money he had stolen from the State, would the Delta elders and elites have the opportunity now, to be demanding for the funds be returned to the State? I still remember the millions of Dollars used by Ibori to try and bribe the former EFCC boss, Ribadu, which he rejected and deposited the money at the Central Bank of Nigeria to keep. My argument then was that the said money should have been given to Delta State because it actually belongs to the State.
In all of this, where were the Delta elders and elites who said then that no money was stolen by Ibori? So, what are they demanding for now? I am surprised to read that the Oghara elites (where Ibori is from), are still saying they are fully backing Ibori. One begins to wonder when will Nigerians stop to claim the ownership of public thieves. The usual talk is: "Na our brother, na our money he thief, leave am alone. Na only him thief sef". All of this would not have happened if our Delta elders/elites and State Government had joined hands with the Federal government to aid the UK government to prosecute Ibori, and outrightly condemn his thievery of the State funds while as Governor. Because of the subject of Ibori, many of my critics always say: "you no dey tire for Ibori talk?" And I tell them that I will continue to condemn what is bad and evil in our society, no matter who or what is involved, and also commend what is commendable.
Though, I have reacted on this subject matter earlier on March 9th, 2021, where I urged the Federal Government to use the recovered loot of Ibori to fund infrastructural projects in Delta State, like the Osubi-Warri Airstrip Expansion/Upgrade Project to a standard International Airport, especially since the money was stolen from Delta State in the first place. And the justification for this argument, was further reiterated recently by Human Rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).
Falana, who faulted the statement made by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), that the Ibori’s recovered loot would not be handed over to the Delta State Government because the crime that led to the diversion of the funds was a federal one, and that one of the conditions for the UK repatriating the Ibori loot was that the money must be tied to certain federal projects which include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja-Kano rail and the Second Niger Bridge and a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed between both parties.
However, Mr. Femi Falana described Malami’s position as faulty, and said giving the Ibori loot to the Federal Government was at variance with Section 162 of the Constitution. Falana said, “The £4.2m does not belong to the Federal Government. The money confiscated from Governor Joshua Dariye in the United Kingdom was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to Nigeria and returned to the Plateau State Government. The money confiscated from Governor DSP Alamieyesigha in the UK was recovered by the Federal Government, repatriated to Nigeria and remitted to the Account of Bayelsa State Government. The sum of £4.2m confiscated from Governor James Ibori in the United Kingdom and recovered by the Federal Government has to be remitted to the Account of the Delta State Government.”
He said the memorandum of understanding signed by the representatives of the British Government and the Federal Government cannot supersede the constitution which has prohibited any form of discrimination in the country. And like I said before now, supposing such monies were stolen from the Government coffers of other States like Kano, Kaduna or even Abuja the nation’s capital, will the Federal Government re-channel the recovered loot to address some projects in the South-South or South-East? Let us be real and truthful with ourselves here because we all know the answer to that question! It is even more shocking to note that, over £100m (N527bn), stolen by former Governor James Ibori, and his associates, is still being expected by the Federal Government. This was revealed recently too by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. We can just imagine the amount of public funds that was stolen by one person and his family, friends and associates. All of Ibori’s stolen loot from the coffers of Delta State Government, is enough to transform cities in Delta State to look like Dubai. Yet, some persons today are still regarding Ibori as their hero and leader. What a shame! I challenge them; how many of Delta State persons, elders and elites have consistently criticized Ibori for all the atrocities he has committed against the State and its common masses?
Away from that, while Falana’s line of argument is valid and in support of my position on this issue, however, like I said in my previous write-up on this, the Federal Government should, by themselves, use the said recovered funds for the suggested expansion/upgrade of the Osubi-Warri Airstrip to a Standard International Airport, as well as other capital infrastructural projects that would solely benefit the common masses of Delta State. And that such spending of the said loot by the Federal Government to execute these infrastructural projects in Delta State, should be transparently done, without any involvement of the Delta State Government and its Officials, for the interest of the good people of Delta State. This is to avoid a situation where the said monies may end up again in the private pockets of the corrupt-laden Delta State Government.
As noted by Benson Ugen: “If the Federal Government decides to return Ibori loot to Delta State, in all honesty, the State Government will return the money to Ibori with a serious apology for the inconveniences and embarrassment caused by the British and Federal Government.” To me, I believe this statement, and the fact that Ibori is still Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’ “super -godfather and mentor”. So, in my opinion, there is every likelihood that Okowa may return the money to his political boss, James Ibori, if the Federal Government decides to give the recovered loots to the Delta State Government. This is why I have advised that the Federal Government should by themselves, use the said recovered Ibori’s loots, including the ones to come, to fund the execution of Federal infrastructural projects in Delta State, especially the Osubi-Warri Airstrip expansion/upgrade project to a standard International Airport, and other projects in Delta State. Instead of gifting the recovered funds to Governor Okowa, and his political boss, Ibori.
Zik Gbemre.
March 10, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes