The Federal High Court judge in Asaba today discharged and acquitted James Ibori, the former governor of Delta State, of all of the 170-count charge of corruption and abuse of office proffered against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It is a shameful verdict that has been expected for a long time. Saharareporters had reported that the trial judge, Justice Marcel Awokulehin, who was personally vetted for the job by Ibori, to lead the court that was established for the specific purpose of ensuring that Ibori was not sent to jail, had struck a deal with the ex-governor and two-time ex-convict, to squash the charges for a princely sum of $5 million.
Signs that the judge was going to deliver his highly compromised judgment have been available since the date of the verdict was set. And then twice in the past several weeks, Judge Awokulehin looked around the courtroom only to postpone a verdict he had boasted was ready even before the first date he had given.But this morning, it was clear that an understanding had been reached to set Ibori free when heavy security, which our source said was being personally coordinated by the Director-General of the State Security Service in Abuja, was noticed at the venue.
Judge Awokulehin arrived at 8:41a.m for an event that had become, as much about him as about the accused, but Ibori did not arrive until 8:58a.m. Our reporter said Ibori’s arrival was notable for his “absolute confidence” and uncommon swagger.
The bizarre ruling today marks the end of another byzantine compromise of the Nigerian judiciary that started in December 2007 when Ibori was arrested by the EFCC, arraigned and remanded in prison custody, far away in Kaduna.
