On the 21st of December 2016 the Convicted Former Governor of Delta state Chief James Onanefe Ibori was released from London Prison after completing his 3year Jail Term. The jail term was slammed on him by a London judge in the year 2012 after being extradited to the UK in the year 2011. Prior to his conviction James Ibori was a Peoples man in his Home state of Delta and his Oghara community. Just as they say that Charity begins at home alike Ibori Prison walk also started from home sequel to a Petition filed by his Kinsmen Under the auspices of Delta State Elders and Stakeholders Forum ably led by revered Niger Delta Leader Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. The Petition among others alleged that Ibori stole and mismanaged over 200 million dollars of funds that accrued to the state under his watch as the state Governor; he was alleged to have stolen part of the funds through cronies and family members.
He was later arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on charges of corruption in December 2007 under the Leadership of Nuhu Ribadu Assistant Commissioner of police as at that time. Ribadu himself later alleged that Ibori attempted to bribe him with fifteen million dollars cash packed in some Ghana Must Go Bags which he later deposited at the CBN as exhibit to nail him. Their effort was soon thwarted by a Federal High court sitting in Asaba on the 17th of December 2009. The court discharged and acquitted Ibori of all 170 count charges brought against him by the EFCC. On the long run the long arm of law caught up with this man that was once convicted of Credit card fraud in the United Kingdom before coming home to Govern Delta state. He was extradited to the United Kingdom in the year 2011 with support of the Goodluck Jonathan Led Federal Government of Nigeria and he has been “eating his beans” in the UK prison until his release on the 21st of December 2016.
Immediately he was released, his kinsmen the same kinsmen that wrote the earlier Petition that nailed him went into wide jubilations celebrating the release of their son from the Prison ,they’ve never seen the evil Perpetrated by Ibori as a collateral damage to their existence . Despite the recession in Nigeria Posters and Banners were Produced to welcome their son back Home, they threw Parties and some left the shores of Nigeria for London to celebrate Ibori among whom is Honorable Ndudi Elumelu another corrupt Politician from delta state that bungled the House of Representatives Power Probe when he was the chairman House committee on Power, he was later disgraced after investigation shows he has collected bribes and lots of other items from those he was Poised to Probe. Another Person is Senator Nwaoboshi a serving senator from Delta state that is also under EFCC Investigation for corruption allegations who flooded the social media with Pictures of his Visit to James Ibori in London.
This is so shameful considering the situation that led Ibori to prison. His friends have refused to show decorum and display of commonsense in their approach towards his release. In developed world the release of someone like Ibori from Prison would be a solemn moment for Ibori and his immediate family but Ibori friends have rubbed it on our face that corruption is a virtue worthy of celebrating but who are we to blame them it’s the representation of the degeneration in the society called Nigeria. Former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority Chief olabode George was also convicted on charges relating to corruption activities in October 20009 and was released on the 26th of February 2011 with lots of fanfare and celebrations. The Thanksgiving Service was even attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo who later declared he was tricked to attend the Ceremony due to the Backlash it received from the Public. Till today, we don’t know who “Tricked” Baba.
As a result, Ibori’s friends have not seen anything wrong in celebrating his release as they want to celebrate him like Bode George. I must at this Juncture Appreciate the lone voice of reason that have spoken against the macabre dance Ibori’s Friends have engaged in .The former Governor of Delta State Emmanuel Uduaghan have cautioned those celebrating him not to create more Problems for him through unbridled celebrations of his release.
This situation of Ibori’s friends and others calls for a general reflection of our Principles and values as a country and as a People. When we take time to celebrate those convicted for corruption then it calls for attention. A writer once said we have two types of corruption Moral Corruption and Financial Corruption declaring the Former as the worst of all.
The moral corruption of Ibori’s Friends calls for attention before it spreads to other incorruptible members of the society. Ibori should enjoy his freedom and seek the Face of God for a new Life.
Adesina Tosin Nathaniel is a Forward Looking Nigerian Youth
For more of his writings visit www.donteewrites.blogspot.com
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