Ibori’s Pyrrhic Victory in Asaba is Without Prejudice to the Case against Him and His Associates in London

The report of the infamous judgement of Justice Marcel Awokulehin (dismissing the 170-count indictment of James Ibori purportedly for lack of evidence) by the Associated Press on Thursday December 17, 2009 rightly condemned the complicity of the Nigerian government in high level corruption. According to the report, which was carried by many international news media, “Ibori represented an opportunity for Nigeria to hold to account government officials long criticized for lining their own pockets instead of helping the poor, especially in the restive Niger Delta. As an associate of Yar'Adua, he also stood as a test of the president's vow to crack down on corruption”.
“That widespread corruption led U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to lump Nigeria with Cuba this week as governments ‘able but unwilling to make the changes their citizens deserve’”, it concludes. Therefore, come 2010, which will be the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence from Britain, long suffering Nigerians, failed by their own government, will be looking up to the old colonial master for justice in this matter when the trials of Ibori’s wife Theresa Ibori, his mistress Udoamaka Okoronkwo, his sister Christine Ibori-Ibie, his former personal assistant Adebimpe Pogoson and his London-based solicitor Bhadresh Gohil for conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering restart at the Southwark Crown Court. Ibori’s conviction in Asaba would not have harmed the Crown’s case against his associates in London, which perhaps explains why the first set of trials was adjourned twice to allow the dithering Justice Awokulehin to deliver his judgment, but such a conviction is not required to prove the case against him and his associates. In his ruling in 2008 on the preparatory hearing on the admissibility of the evidence provided to the prosecution by the EFCC during Ribadu’s tenure, Judge Rivlin QC summarised the money laundering charges as follows:

For Ibori's prosecution Aondoakaa must resign

The Benue people are people of integrity an ethnic group that uphold the ethics and morality of life. What baffles my imagination is how the present Attorney General of the Federation will put the hard earned reputation built by the Benue leaders to public ridicule for his selfish motive and greed for materialistic quest for wealth. You will all agree that the likes of J.S TARKAA, fought gallantly for the emancipation of the present middle Beltans, where we are day. Sorry for taking readers back, a little. But it’s for the sake of clarity. The appointment of KAASE MIKE AONDOAKAA was a hope for the anti grafts agencies and Nigerians in general, more so that he was coming from a background that has no political history. Hopes were high. Today, the young man has become a barrier for the fight against corruption. The exoneration of Ibori from all the charges leveled against him by the EFCC did not come as a surprise to me because of the corrupt issues surrounding the AGF. He was first petitioned by the committee for the Defence of Human Right, CDHR. Many thought it was political, later he was fingered as Ibori, s protector. Then sentiments came in that the Yoruba’s are interested in the office just to deviate from the truth. But here we are today, knowing fully well that Ibori is guilty of the charges leveled against him, but the AGF hired assassin Justice MARCEL AWOKULEHIN of the FHC Asaba delivered a kangaroo judgment in favour of Ibori just to please his master AGF. No wonder the minister is no disposed to the issue of Special Court . (AGF AONDOAKAA) YOU MUST GO. ALI MUST GO WILL REPEAT ITSELF.

“Operation Zuma”: Kangaroo Court frees Ibori!

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.

Ibori: This Judgement Can’t Stand – EFCC

The decision of Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba to quash all the 170 count charge against former governor of Delta state, Mr James Onanefe Ibori today has not come as a surprise to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In view of our determination to prosecute this case to a logical conclusion, and our strong belief that this hazy judgement cannot stand based on available evidence we have to prosecute the case, we have instructed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal against Justice Awokulehin’s judgement at a higher court.

We are convinced that this judgement cannot stand especially at this critical time in our nation’s history when the judiciary is being hailed for rising to the challenge of delivering fearless judgements against the corrupt in our society.

This kind of judgement if not challenged is capable of deepening the menace of corruption in our country rather than contributing in any way to the cause of justice which is the basis of sustaining our democratic governance.

This explains why the leadership of the Commission will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the case is taken to a logical conclusion given the enormity of evidence available to prosecution. Femi Babafemi Head, Media & Publicity