It-s-a-big-shame-that-an-ex-convict-james-ibori-who-spent-years-in-uk-jail-for-corruption-and-looting-is-rewarded-in-nigeria-as-grand-patron-of-former-governors-forum
September 7, 2020 | News
IT’S A BIG SHAME – THAT AN EX-CONVICT (JAMES IBORI), WHO SPENT YEARS IN UK JAIL FOR CORRUPTION AND LOOTING, IS REWARDED IN NIGERIA AS GRAND PATRON OF ‘FORMER GOVERNORS FORUM’
It has officially been established that the Nigerian Former Governors Forum has lost their minds and should never be considered worthy to lead any normal place in the entire world. Sometimes I wonder if they reason with their brains at all. That is how best to describe the reports that former Governor of Delta State and Ex-convict, James Ibori, has been appointed as patron of the Former Governors Forum, a group made up of past State Governors in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Chairman of the group and former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, and Prof. Tunde Esan, the Executive Secretary, Ibori’s appointment took effect from July 13, 2020. And since his so-called appointment, none of the said former Governors has considered it necessary to distance themselves from the said appointment of Ibori as the supposed grand patron of the Nigerian Former Governors forum. I cannot help but wonder – of all the past Governors that make up this Forum, the Executive Members of the Forum and its members cannot think of anyone else to appoint as their grand patron, other than James Ibori, who remains as ex-convict that was sent to jail in UK for grossly stealing billions of funds meant for the development and upliftment of the people of Delta State. I really do not blame Ibori for this shameless act by the said former Governors Forum. But rather, I blame the members of the said Forum for obviously losing their minds, and allowing power and corruption to have blinded them completely. Is it that the individual family members and wives of these former Nigerian Governors cannot advise these men?
What was even more appalling is the fact that in the said letter of appointment to Ibori, it partly reads: “The Forum recognizes your role not only as a former governor but equally as a respected elder statesman with passion for the promotion of unity in Nigeria, which is the major objective of the Forum.” Now, the big question is, what exactly were the said roles and achievements of Ibori as former Governor of Delta State, for the said appointment as grand patron of the former Governors across the country, to be given to him? Is it Ibori’s role and achievement of money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million), and conspiracy to defraud Delta State, which he also admitted and pleaded guilty for, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police – that made the said former Governors Forum to consider him worthy to be appointed as their grand patron?
This is the same Ibori, who was Governor of Delta state from 1999 to 2007 and was in 2012, sentenced to 13 years in prison for money laundering by the stated Court in the United Kingdom. Ibori had fled Nigeria in April 2010 while answering to corruption charges, forcing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enlist the help of the Interpol that apprehended him in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and extradited him to the UK where a case of massive corruption and money laundering had built up against him as well. He served only four years out of the 13-year sentence handed by the UK Court and was released from jail in 2016. And he is said to have stolen more than $78.5m of Delta State public funds meant to make life better for the people of the State. This is the same Ibori, who during his time in office, amassed a portfolio of luxury properties in Nigeria, London, Washington, Houston, and Johannesburg. He traveled all over the world, staying in the most expensive hotels and spending lavishly in luxury stores. The ex-governor's lifestyle during those years was a far cry from his modest beginnings in life. This is the same Ibori, who, as a young man, had worked as a shop assistant at a branch of the UK improvements chain, Wickes in London, where he was caught trying to steal from the store and was convicted of theft in 1991, and was also Convicted of credit card fraud in 1992 .
It is that same Ibori, that the said former Governors Forum have crowned as their grand patron. What a shame! Just early this year, a British prosecutor launched a fresh attempt to confiscate millions of pounds stolen by this same James Ibori. And about £117 million known proceeds of crime are being targeted, but only a portion of the sum was likely to be recovered. It was in that regard that United Kingdom (UK) Government concluded the process of returning $9.6m said to be looted by ex-convict James Ibori, to Nigeria. In other words, we can go on to list, and see that the sins of this man, as a former Governor of Delta State, has refused to go away because the enormity and gravity of the crime he has committed against Delta State, cannot be exhausted, all of which today has greatly contributed to make Delta State become a shadow of its past glory, and with nothing to write home about.
With all of this in the public domain about the person and character of Ibori, the said former Nigerian Governors forum still shamelessly appointed Ibori as their grand patron, which is best described as the endorsement of corruption. Truth be told, if the Nigerian people should continue to cover up, sing praises, support and stand for these former and present political leaders in the name of: “they are our own,” and so, they should be left alone; let the people also be prepared to continue swallowing all the rubbish being dished out by these ‘public thieves’ against them. He who chooses to hide and praise a thief in his house should also be prepared to carry the shame and consequences of the actions of such a thief. If the former Governors Forum is doing this, what then do we expect the present crop of politicians still in Government to do? Obviously, they would commit more severe atrocities since they will still be celebrated and given appointments after they leave the office. What a shame!
Well, considering the corruption atrocities committed by most of these former Governors that make up the said Forum, against their individual States across the country, I cannot say that I am really surprised that they decided to make an ex-convict like Ibori, to be their grand patron. Talk about crowing the said Forum with this ‘icing on the cake appointment,’ which obviously suggests to Nigerians what they truly represent as a body. This is my opinion on this shameful act of by the said former Governors forum, in their appointment of Ibori as their grand patron.
Let us bear in mind that this is the same former Governors Forum, which according to a tv programme The Advocate, anchored by Liborous Oshoma, noted that: “…former Governors get six new cars every 3 years. Even if he is opening a car shop, does this make sense? Deputy gets three or five cars every 3 years. Former Governor gets a house in Lagos and Abuja, or any place of his choice. While the Deputy gets a house in Lagos only. Free medical care for the Governor, his Deputy, and their families for life. They are also entitled to cooks, stewards, gardeners and domestic staffs – all pensionable. Worst of all, 300% of annual basic salaries every two years as pension allowance for the Governor and his Deputy. Also, 100% of annual basic salaries as House Maintenance allowance – that is, the house we build, we still maintain it for them.
“Two DSS officials; one female officer of course, for ‘Madam’ First Lady; and Eight Policemen. No wonder there are none to guard the rest of us. Deputy Governor gets one DSS operative and two policemen. And then, listen to this also; 25% of annual basic salaries for Personal Assistants (PAs), 30% of annual basic salaries as Car maintenance. So, those Six cars, we still maintain them for them. It is part of what they have taken while in Office. 20% of annual basic salaries also as Utility allowance – Pensionable drivers, no limit to the numbers. And finally, Severance benefits, like 300%. Despite all these, some of these former Governors still turned The Senate into their retirement homes. While others are Ministers – all drawing salaries in spite of their pensions. Unfortunately, the entitlements they enjoy are far more than what political office holders in developed and rich countries enjoy. More of why we will continue remaining a ‘developing country.’ You cannot close your eyes to this ugly trend and pretend to fight corruption. It is impossible...”
I know that some of my Delta State Urhobo elites will say "Zik Gbemre, why are you always writing against James Ibori? Na only Ibori thief sef? Ar beg leave our brother alone. Wetin sef! Na our oil money he thief." But it is such disposition by our elites that has made the likes of Ibori to feel no remorse or repent from the wrongs he has brought against the people of Delta State. James Ibori on his part, should have grown up by now, and avoid all of these gifts of titles, including the said title of grand patron of former Governors forum. Such gift will further dent his image. The grand patron of the former Governors Forum will only worsen James Ibori's already dented image. The best thing for Ibori now is to remain calm, live a low profile life, and stay away from politics of any kind, and become just an Opinion leader of his Oghara town in Ethiope west. This was the same advice given to Ibori by Abraham Ogbodo, the former editor of the Guardian newspaper some time ago after Ibori's release from prison - that "he should remain silent and be an elder statesman at the background. As one who simply contributes to his Community's growth and development, as a Community Leader of Oghara Kingdom."
Zik Gbemre
August 7, 2020
We Mobilize Others TO Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
It has officially been established that the Nigerian Former Governors Forum has lost their minds and should never be considered worthy to lead any normal place in the entire world. Sometimes I wonder if they reason with their brains at all. That is how best to describe the reports that former Governor of Delta State and Ex-convict, James Ibori, has been appointed as patron of the Former Governors Forum, a group made up of past State Governors in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Chairman of the group and former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, and Prof. Tunde Esan, the Executive Secretary, Ibori’s appointment took effect from July 13, 2020. And since his so-called appointment, none of the said former Governors has considered it necessary to distance themselves from the said appointment of Ibori as the supposed grand patron of the Nigerian Former Governors forum. I cannot help but wonder – of all the past Governors that make up this Forum, the Executive Members of the Forum and its members cannot think of anyone else to appoint as their grand patron, other than James Ibori, who remains as ex-convict that was sent to jail in UK for grossly stealing billions of funds meant for the development and upliftment of the people of Delta State. I really do not blame Ibori for this shameless act by the said former Governors Forum. But rather, I blame the members of the said Forum for obviously losing their minds, and allowing power and corruption to have blinded them completely. Is it that the individual family members and wives of these former Nigerian Governors cannot advise these men?
What was even more appalling is the fact that in the said letter of appointment to Ibori, it partly reads: “The Forum recognizes your role not only as a former governor but equally as a respected elder statesman with passion for the promotion of unity in Nigeria, which is the major objective of the Forum.” Now, the big question is, what exactly were the said roles and achievements of Ibori as former Governor of Delta State, for the said appointment as grand patron of the former Governors across the country, to be given to him? Is it Ibori’s role and achievement of money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million), and conspiracy to defraud Delta State, which he also admitted and pleaded guilty for, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police – that made the said former Governors Forum to consider him worthy to be appointed as their grand patron?
This is the same Ibori, who was Governor of Delta state from 1999 to 2007 and was in 2012, sentenced to 13 years in prison for money laundering by the stated Court in the United Kingdom. Ibori had fled Nigeria in April 2010 while answering to corruption charges, forcing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enlist the help of the Interpol that apprehended him in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and extradited him to the UK where a case of massive corruption and money laundering had built up against him as well. He served only four years out of the 13-year sentence handed by the UK Court and was released from jail in 2016. And he is said to have stolen more than $78.5m of Delta State public funds meant to make life better for the people of the State. This is the same Ibori, who during his time in office, amassed a portfolio of luxury properties in Nigeria, London, Washington, Houston, and Johannesburg. He traveled all over the world, staying in the most expensive hotels and spending lavishly in luxury stores. The ex-governor's lifestyle during those years was a far cry from his modest beginnings in life. This is the same Ibori, who, as a young man, had worked as a shop assistant at a branch of the UK improvements chain, Wickes in London, where he was caught trying to steal from the store and was convicted of theft in 1991, and was also Convicted of credit card fraud in 1992 .
It is that same Ibori, that the said former Governors Forum have crowned as their grand patron. What a shame! Just early this year, a British prosecutor launched a fresh attempt to confiscate millions of pounds stolen by this same James Ibori. And about £117 million known proceeds of crime are being targeted, but only a portion of the sum was likely to be recovered. It was in that regard that United Kingdom (UK) Government concluded the process of returning $9.6m said to be looted by ex-convict James Ibori, to Nigeria. In other words, we can go on to list, and see that the sins of this man, as a former Governor of Delta State, has refused to go away because the enormity and gravity of the crime he has committed against Delta State, cannot be exhausted, all of which today has greatly contributed to make Delta State become a shadow of its past glory, and with nothing to write home about.
With all of this in the public domain about the person and character of Ibori, the said former Nigerian Governors forum still shamelessly appointed Ibori as their grand patron, which is best described as the endorsement of corruption. Truth be told, if the Nigerian people should continue to cover up, sing praises, support and stand for these former and present political leaders in the name of: “they are our own,” and so, they should be left alone; let the people also be prepared to continue swallowing all the rubbish being dished out by these ‘public thieves’ against them. He who chooses to hide and praise a thief in his house should also be prepared to carry the shame and consequences of the actions of such a thief. If the former Governors Forum is doing this, what then do we expect the present crop of politicians still in Government to do? Obviously, they would commit more severe atrocities since they will still be celebrated and given appointments after they leave the office. What a shame!
Well, considering the corruption atrocities committed by most of these former Governors that make up the said Forum, against their individual States across the country, I cannot say that I am really surprised that they decided to make an ex-convict like Ibori, to be their grand patron. Talk about crowing the said Forum with this ‘icing on the cake appointment,’ which obviously suggests to Nigerians what they truly represent as a body. This is my opinion on this shameful act of by the said former Governors forum, in their appointment of Ibori as their grand patron.
Let us bear in mind that this is the same former Governors Forum, which according to a tv programme The Advocate, anchored by Liborous Oshoma, noted that: “…former Governors get six new cars every 3 years. Even if he is opening a car shop, does this make sense? Deputy gets three or five cars every 3 years. Former Governor gets a house in Lagos and Abuja, or any place of his choice. While the Deputy gets a house in Lagos only. Free medical care for the Governor, his Deputy, and their families for life. They are also entitled to cooks, stewards, gardeners and domestic staffs – all pensionable. Worst of all, 300% of annual basic salaries every two years as pension allowance for the Governor and his Deputy. Also, 100% of annual basic salaries as House Maintenance allowance – that is, the house we build, we still maintain it for them.
“Two DSS officials; one female officer of course, for ‘Madam’ First Lady; and Eight Policemen. No wonder there are none to guard the rest of us. Deputy Governor gets one DSS operative and two policemen. And then, listen to this also; 25% of annual basic salaries for Personal Assistants (PAs), 30% of annual basic salaries as Car maintenance. So, those Six cars, we still maintain them for them. It is part of what they have taken while in Office. 20% of annual basic salaries also as Utility allowance – Pensionable drivers, no limit to the numbers. And finally, Severance benefits, like 300%. Despite all these, some of these former Governors still turned The Senate into their retirement homes. While others are Ministers – all drawing salaries in spite of their pensions. Unfortunately, the entitlements they enjoy are far more than what political office holders in developed and rich countries enjoy. More of why we will continue remaining a ‘developing country.’ You cannot close your eyes to this ugly trend and pretend to fight corruption. It is impossible...”
I know that some of my Delta State Urhobo elites will say "Zik Gbemre, why are you always writing against James Ibori? Na only Ibori thief sef? Ar beg leave our brother alone. Wetin sef! Na our oil money he thief." But it is such disposition by our elites that has made the likes of Ibori to feel no remorse or repent from the wrongs he has brought against the people of Delta State. James Ibori on his part, should have grown up by now, and avoid all of these gifts of titles, including the said title of grand patron of former Governors forum. Such gift will further dent his image. The grand patron of the former Governors Forum will only worsen James Ibori's already dented image. The best thing for Ibori now is to remain calm, live a low profile life, and stay away from politics of any kind, and become just an Opinion leader of his Oghara town in Ethiope west. This was the same advice given to Ibori by Abraham Ogbodo, the former editor of the Guardian newspaper some time ago after Ibori's release from prison - that "he should remain silent and be an elder statesman at the background. As one who simply contributes to his Community's growth and development, as a Community Leader of Oghara Kingdom."
Zik Gbemre
August 7, 2020
We Mobilize Others TO Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes