ON IBORI’S SUIT AGAINST THE REPATRIATION OF HIS £4.2M LOOTED ASSETS – ANOTHER DISPLAY OF IBORI’S RASCALITY AND UNREPENTANT HEART
May 13, 2021 | News
Having pleaded guilty, on Monday 20th February 2012, to charges of money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds (more than $66 Million), and conspiracy to defraud Delta State, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police,
-By Zik Gbemre
ON IBORI’S SUIT AGAINST THE REPATRIATION OF HIS £4.2M LOOTED ASSETS – ANOTHER DISPLAY OF IBORI’S RASCALITY AND UNREPENTANT HEART
Of what essence is the suit by Ibori against the repatriation of his loot and over a corruption case he willingly admitted and pleaded guilty to have committed against Delta State and its people? …
Why can’t Ibori just simply swallow his pride, admit his mistakes, turn a new leaf and live a low-profile life out of public glare?…
It is simply the rascality, unremorseful and unrepentant heart of Ibori that is at display here…
The people of Delta State should grow up and wise up, and realize those who are truly the enemies of the State’s progress and development all these years…
Having pleaded guilty, on Monday 20th February 2012, to charges of money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds (more than $66 Million), and conspiracy to defraud Delta State, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police, I find it disgusting and shameful that, former Governor James Ibori is still dishing out litigations regarding his said loot. I mean, of what essence are these litigations by Ibori against the repatriation of his loot and over a corruption case he willingly admitted and pleaded guilty to have committed against Delta State and its people? Why can’t Ibori just simply swallow his pride, admit his mistakes, turn a new leaf and live a low-profile life out of public glare?
These were my thoughts when I saw a recent report that the Federal Government has written to Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), to prevail on the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori to withdraw the suit he instituted against the United Kingdom on the confiscation and planned repatriation of about £4.2 million linked to him.
The Federal Government also said that the intervention of the UPU would create an enabling environment for the consideration of the appeal by the union that the alleged looted asset should be used to implement projects in Delta state. Let us recall that the UPU, through its President General, Engr. Joseph Omene had on 23rd March 2021, made a request that the confiscated assets linked to the former governor should be used for projects in Delta State, against the position of the Federal Government that it would be used to fund critical projects across the country. The UPU contention was that the said looted assets were from Delta State and should be used to implement projects in the State with the supervision of the Federal Government, which I totally agree with. The Delta State relevant stakeholders have asked the Federal Government to use the said Ibori’s loots to fund projects in Delta State, which includes the planned upgrade/expansion of the all-important Osubi-Warri Airstrip to an International Airport.
However, the fact remains that Ibori pleaded guilty and that in itself is an acceptance of the financial crime he committed against the State and its people. It is just common sense. One doesn't need an expert to advise on this issue. Ibori is not an infant and insane when he pleaded guilty to the corruption charges brought against him. So why the litigations against the court’s decision?
People do not plead guilty for the crimes they did not commit just like that. You only plead guilty, when the pieces of evidences brought against you have overwhelmingly proved you to have committed the crime, and as such, the “guilty plea” becomes the next line of action. Obviously, Ibori willingly admitted to having committed the corruption charges leveled against him because he actually did commit the crime, and even far worse. So, no matter his ‘appeal stunts’, it does not in any way exonerate or suggest that Ibori’s trial and conviction were flawed, or not properly conducted. It does not suggest that Ibori’s famous ‘guilty plea’ did not happen, or was he coerced or forced in any way to admit he committed the crime. More so, I do not think Ibori has the audacity or moral standing to even come forth to boldly institute any suit against his conviction or the repatriation of funds he stole in the first place. What is Ibori hoping to achieve with the said litigations – that the corruption atrocities he committed against Delta State and its people did not happen? Or what exactly?
It is simply the rascality, unremorseful and unrepentant heart of Ibori that is at display here. The same character of Ibori has refused to heed advice to play it cool and live a straightforward and honest life. This is the problem I have with most Nigerian past and present Political leaders at all levels of Government. Rather than ‘hide in shame’ or show a little bit of remorse or repentance for the corruption atrocities they must have committed while in office, especially when they have such corruption charges hanging on their neck; they still have the audacity and impetus to carry themselves about and throttle around public domain as if nothing happened. That is the same ‘ridiculous attitude’ that Ibori has been exhibiting. The saddest part is that some of the people, whose collective wealth was stolen by Ibori, still praise, honour and even worship him wherever he goes, and we expect things to change for good in the State. How is that possible?
Ibori should be thankful to God for enabling him to govern Delta state for eight years. There is no business evidence to prove that the money seized by the UK was legitimately owned by Ibori. Ibori has refused to be remorseful and repentant of his actions to date. Ibori still moves from one place to another without shame, celebrating his thievery and looting of the Delta State treasury. “Ibori Again” is always on the headlines of print/electronic media and social media. Ibori’s title of Odidigboigbo of Africa still swells his head, whenever his co-looters hail him. Those of his former appointees are always seen celebrating Ibori because it was indeed carefree looting of Delta State’s treasury between 1999 to 2007 under his administration. All Ibori’s former Commissioners, Aides, and Accountant-Generals all colluded with him to loot the Delta treasury. These are the same set of persons that are today, regrouping to get back into the State’s Government House to continue their practice of looting. While Ibori should be ashamed of himself, the people of Delta State should please grow up and wise up, and realize those who are truly the enemies of our progress in this State.
Zik Gbemre.
May 13, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
ON IBORI’S SUIT AGAINST THE REPATRIATION OF HIS £4.2M LOOTED ASSETS – ANOTHER DISPLAY OF IBORI’S RASCALITY AND UNREPENTANT HEART
Of what essence is the suit by Ibori against the repatriation of his loot and over a corruption case he willingly admitted and pleaded guilty to have committed against Delta State and its people? …
Why can’t Ibori just simply swallow his pride, admit his mistakes, turn a new leaf and live a low-profile life out of public glare?…
It is simply the rascality, unremorseful and unrepentant heart of Ibori that is at display here…
The people of Delta State should grow up and wise up, and realize those who are truly the enemies of the State’s progress and development all these years…
Having pleaded guilty, on Monday 20th February 2012, to charges of money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds (more than $66 Million), and conspiracy to defraud Delta State, in a South Wark Crown Court, UK, while facing a 10 – count charge brought against him by the British Metropolitan Police, I find it disgusting and shameful that, former Governor James Ibori is still dishing out litigations regarding his said loot. I mean, of what essence are these litigations by Ibori against the repatriation of his loot and over a corruption case he willingly admitted and pleaded guilty to have committed against Delta State and its people? Why can’t Ibori just simply swallow his pride, admit his mistakes, turn a new leaf and live a low-profile life out of public glare?
These were my thoughts when I saw a recent report that the Federal Government has written to Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), to prevail on the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori to withdraw the suit he instituted against the United Kingdom on the confiscation and planned repatriation of about £4.2 million linked to him.
The Federal Government also said that the intervention of the UPU would create an enabling environment for the consideration of the appeal by the union that the alleged looted asset should be used to implement projects in Delta state. Let us recall that the UPU, through its President General, Engr. Joseph Omene had on 23rd March 2021, made a request that the confiscated assets linked to the former governor should be used for projects in Delta State, against the position of the Federal Government that it would be used to fund critical projects across the country. The UPU contention was that the said looted assets were from Delta State and should be used to implement projects in the State with the supervision of the Federal Government, which I totally agree with. The Delta State relevant stakeholders have asked the Federal Government to use the said Ibori’s loots to fund projects in Delta State, which includes the planned upgrade/expansion of the all-important Osubi-Warri Airstrip to an International Airport.
However, the fact remains that Ibori pleaded guilty and that in itself is an acceptance of the financial crime he committed against the State and its people. It is just common sense. One doesn't need an expert to advise on this issue. Ibori is not an infant and insane when he pleaded guilty to the corruption charges brought against him. So why the litigations against the court’s decision?
People do not plead guilty for the crimes they did not commit just like that. You only plead guilty, when the pieces of evidences brought against you have overwhelmingly proved you to have committed the crime, and as such, the “guilty plea” becomes the next line of action. Obviously, Ibori willingly admitted to having committed the corruption charges leveled against him because he actually did commit the crime, and even far worse. So, no matter his ‘appeal stunts’, it does not in any way exonerate or suggest that Ibori’s trial and conviction were flawed, or not properly conducted. It does not suggest that Ibori’s famous ‘guilty plea’ did not happen, or was he coerced or forced in any way to admit he committed the crime. More so, I do not think Ibori has the audacity or moral standing to even come forth to boldly institute any suit against his conviction or the repatriation of funds he stole in the first place. What is Ibori hoping to achieve with the said litigations – that the corruption atrocities he committed against Delta State and its people did not happen? Or what exactly?
It is simply the rascality, unremorseful and unrepentant heart of Ibori that is at display here. The same character of Ibori has refused to heed advice to play it cool and live a straightforward and honest life. This is the problem I have with most Nigerian past and present Political leaders at all levels of Government. Rather than ‘hide in shame’ or show a little bit of remorse or repentance for the corruption atrocities they must have committed while in office, especially when they have such corruption charges hanging on their neck; they still have the audacity and impetus to carry themselves about and throttle around public domain as if nothing happened. That is the same ‘ridiculous attitude’ that Ibori has been exhibiting. The saddest part is that some of the people, whose collective wealth was stolen by Ibori, still praise, honour and even worship him wherever he goes, and we expect things to change for good in the State. How is that possible?
Ibori should be thankful to God for enabling him to govern Delta state for eight years. There is no business evidence to prove that the money seized by the UK was legitimately owned by Ibori. Ibori has refused to be remorseful and repentant of his actions to date. Ibori still moves from one place to another without shame, celebrating his thievery and looting of the Delta State treasury. “Ibori Again” is always on the headlines of print/electronic media and social media. Ibori’s title of Odidigboigbo of Africa still swells his head, whenever his co-looters hail him. Those of his former appointees are always seen celebrating Ibori because it was indeed carefree looting of Delta State’s treasury between 1999 to 2007 under his administration. All Ibori’s former Commissioners, Aides, and Accountant-Generals all colluded with him to loot the Delta treasury. These are the same set of persons that are today, regrouping to get back into the State’s Government House to continue their practice of looting. While Ibori should be ashamed of himself, the people of Delta State should please grow up and wise up, and realize those who are truly the enemies of our progress in this State.
Zik Gbemre.
May 13, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes