Sunday 5 February 2017

James Ibori Facing Another 170 Charges From EFCC


Looks like the game is not over for a former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who still has 170 charges against him pending before a Federal High Court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is said to have opened his corruption file and set to arraign him on charges of "massive looting! of Delta State, running into Billions.

Ibori arrived Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

According to eyewitnesses, the former governor came into Abuja using a British Airways flight that touched down at the airport around 5.30am.

Family members and well-wishers were at the NAIA to receive the former governor.

He travelled to Oghara, his hometown, through the Benin airport while his family, friends and associates waited in vain for him at the Osubi airport, near Effurun in Delta State, where he was expected to land directly from Abuja.

A source, who confided in Punch, said the former governor would still answer questions from the EFCC and that the commission would soon invite him.

Following his conviction in the United Kingdom, there were criticisms against the Nigerian justice system, especially an Asaba High Court which had struck out 170 charges which the EFCC had brought against Ibori.

However, the EFCC took the matter to the Appeal Court where a three-man panel of justices on May 15, 2014, at the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal, ruled that the ex-governor, who is currently serving a 13-year jail term in a London prison, has a case to answer.

The Appellate Court panel led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa ordered that the case be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court for continuation of trial.

The EFCC subsequently said in a statement in 2014 that the ex-governor would be rearrested upon the completion of his UK prison sentence.

It was also gathered that Ibori was told that he could be summoned to appear at the DSS office at anytime for further interrogation.

PDP not excited about Ibori’s returnMeanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party was said to be weary of associating with the former governor.

A highly placed member of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it would be wrong for them to start celebrating Ibori, a man who went to prison for stealing public money.

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