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Tag: Ibori

  • Ohanaeze, Ibori, Secondus pay tributes

    Igbo socio-political and cultural organisation, Ohanaeze, yesterday described the late former Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, as an outstanding patriot, whose contributions to the country’s socio-political evolution was indelible.

    The tribute was contained in a statement by the President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo.

    The statement said Nigeria lost one of the foremost advocates of a restructured federation.

    It reads: “As Vice-President, Dr.  Ekwueme was intellectually forthright, engaging, loyal and outstandingly patriotic.

    “As a politician, he was courageous and original in his ideas. Ndigbo have lost a genius, a father and an intellectual giant.”

    The Ohanaeze boss commiserated with his family, friends, associates and Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to immortalise him.

    Ex-Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Prince Uche Secondus said the death of Ekwueme was a huge loss to the PDP and Nigeria.

    He said: “By the loss, Nigeria and PDP have lost a dependable resource person, whose invaluable contributions to the socio- political development of the country remain unequalled.

    “As one of the outstanding founding fathers of our great party, PDP, his exit remains very painful, as he would have been a utility person in the rebuilding process of our party.

    “The leadership of the party would have hoped to tap on his deep intellectual knowledge of the party in the reengineering process already begun in the party.”

    Secondus, commiserating with his family and PDP, said: “Ekwueme’s legacy would outlive him as the history of PDP and indeed Nigeria would not be written without his contributions.”

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori said Ekwueme was a stabilising factor in Nigerian politics.

    Ibori, in a statement through his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, described the death as most shocking.

    He said: “Although His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, GCON, was a great leader, a national father-figure, a stabilising factor in Nigerian politics, I, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, can never stop asking ‘what if’!

    “It is ironic that the nation that betrayed this man’s effort to rescue it from political and economic morass will, now that he is dead, begin to shed crocodile tears.

    “Even those who betrayed the very effort to make Ekwueme President, may begin to, hypocritically of course, bewail the fact that Ekwueme or the Igboman or woman, never ruled Nigeria.

    “Ekwueme was an extraordinary polyvalent scholar, who earned multiple degrees in architecture, urban planning, sociology, history, philosophy and law from several universities.

    “He was a gifted architect, whose professional legacies dot Nigerian cities. In politics, he was both gentlemanly and fatherly, introducing mildness even when others had embraced roughness and irascibility.

    “If only we had allowed Ekwueme to rule Nigeria, what example would he have set? Now, we will never know…and Nigeria is the ultimate loser. Ekwueme lived a full life; gave a radiant account of himself. We all agree he was outstanding. “

  • Ibori, Uduaghan, others pay last respects as Itsekiri leader Ayomike is buried

    Ibori, Uduaghan, others pay last respects as Itsekiri leader Ayomike is buried

    THE remains of Itsekiri national leader and renowned historian, Pa Johnson Oritsegbubemi Sunday Ayomike, were yesterday laid to rest in his Warri home. The interment and the preceding requiem service, which was held at the First Baptist Church, Mission Road, Warri, followed up on the service of songs, which was held in his home on Thursday.

    The ceremonies would be rounded off with a thanksgiving service today at the First Baptist Church. Delivering his sermon, the guest preacher, Dr Ayodele Gbode, reflected on the uniqueness of the life of the deceased, whom he said excelled in fields that were not his areas of professional training. “Health Commissioners today must be medical doctors, but they can’t even build hospitals. Papa also served as information commissioner and left indelible marks like everywhere else he served. “Pa Ayomike was no less outstanding and kept faith with being a man of integrity and achievements as an information commissioner.

    He returned back to work in the corporate world because the company knew he kept his dignity in public service and had immense value to offer. Today’s commissioners for information are thoroughly bread to tell lies”, he said. Speaking to the Nation after the service, the Chairman of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), Chief Edward Ekpoko, said he would miss the departed leader more than most people, noting that aside from his immediate family members, he was about the closest to him. Ekpoko, who took over the mantle of leadership of the ILoT from the deceased said the impacts of the departed leader would remain indelible  in the psyche of not just Itsekiri people but the whole of the Niger Delta and the Nigerian nation,owing to his immense contributions to society.

    The Acting Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, who led other functionaries of the state government to the ceremony yesterday, also offered condolences to the Ayomike family on behalf of the state, praying God to grant the family the fortitude to “bear the irreparable loss.” Other dignitaries present at the service were, former Delta State governors, James Ibori, his successor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his wife, who is a niece of the deceased, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan, Sen. James Manager, as well as the publisher of the Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka. Also present to pay last respect were NFF President and CAF Committee member, Amaju Pinnick, Rep. member, Daniel Reyenieju, Delta Assembly Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, newly installed Ologbotsere of Warri, Ayiri Emami, Chief Great Ogboru, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Joseph Ayomike, younger brother to J.O.S and current head of the Ayomike family.

  • Ahmed, Ibori, Kalu sympathise

    KWARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson have commiserated with All Progressives Congress (APC)  National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the sudden death of his son, Jide.

    Ahmed, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba,  said he received the news of the demise of Asiwaju’s first son with rude shock and described his exit as a painful and colossal loss.

    The governor urged the party’s national leader to take solace in the fact that death is an inevitable end of all mortals.

    He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and also prayed Almighty Allah to grant the parents the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    A statement signed by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, described the death of Jide  as untimely and shocking.

    The governor prayed God to grant the Tinubus the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Former Governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and former Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori also conveyed their heartfelt condolences to Tinubu over the passing of his son.

    In his condolence message to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Leader, Kalu said: “I was absolutely shocked to hear the news of the demise of Asiwaju Tinubu’s son, Jide.

    “It is painful that Jide, who had a promising future died in his prime. Our prayers and thoughts are with the entire Tinubu family at this period of grief”.

    In a statement signed by Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, the former Delta State Governor described the late Jide as “truly remarkable”.

    According to Ibori, Jide embodied the hopes of a future Nigeria as he grew up in the true spirit and blood of the Tinubus: “hard working, energetic, well-educated and had in his short life excelled in the high-flying positions he occupied in rather outstanding blue-chip companies within and outside Nigeria”.

    Ibori has advised Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to please take heart, “because this great blow is not his alone, but a national tragedy as his friends and colleagues all across Nigeria are united with him at this moment of grief”.

    He prayed God to grant Tinubu, his wife Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Jide’s siblings the grace to bear this great loss.

  • Niger Delta: Wike, Okowa, Ibori call for united front

    Niger Delta: Wike, Okowa, Ibori call for united front

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday visited former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, at his Oghara country home, in what is said to be part of the efforts to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the  2019 elections.

    On hand to receive Wike was his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Wike, who doubles as co-chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, asked Niger Delta leaders to unite for the rapid development of the geo-political zone.

    “Niger Delta must continue to be united. Whatever it takes, unity is still very key. When we are divided, outsiders will come and exploit our resources to the disadvantage of our communities,” Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, was quoted him as saying.

    He added:”We have to fight to protect the interest of the Niger Delta.  We draw strength from people like former Governor James Ibori, a man who has variegated experiences.”

    Governor Wike said that Rivers and Delta States are already co-operating in the spirit of Niger Delta Development.

    “We must work as brothers. We must work as a team. We must not allow our united front to be divided”, he said.

    Ibori commended the two governors for their cooperation on developmental issues.

    He urged both governors to work towards building a stronger united force for all the Niger Delta states.

    He said: “We need to be united to be able to serve our people better. We have to cooperate for the good of our people.”

    He commended the developmental efforts of the Rivers State Governor and urged him to do more.

    Also speaking, Okowa said that the Niger Delta needs to work together for the geo-political zone to be a stronger political voice in the country.

    The meeting later went into a closed door session.

    The Nation gathered that it was all about strengthening the PDP in the South-South for the polls.

    An Oghara based source told The Nation that the Rivers State governor arrived the town in a chopper yesterday afternoon and moved to the home of the former governor in a convoy of cars.

    Ibori has kept a low profile since his return from jail in London earlier this year.

     

  • Suspected kidnapping gang leader killed in Ondo

    Suspected kidnapping gang leader killed in Ondo

    •One soldier killed, three others injured 

    Soldiers attached to Operation Delta Safe (ODS), a Joint Task Force (JTF), yesterday killed the suspected leader of a militant group terrorising Ishawo in Ikorodu area of Lagos State and neighbouring creeks.
    The suspected militant leader, Ossy Ibori, was reportedly shot dead at 3 a.m at Ajakpa in Ondo State when he led his gang to attack the troops deployed to protect the area.
    A soldier was killed and three others injured in the operation.
    Security forces were said to have overpowered the militants, killing Ibori during a gun duel.
    Other members of his gang reportedly jumped into the river.
    Sources said the troops recovered weapons from the fleeing criminals.
    Another account said Ibori was lured out of Ishawo creek to Ajakpa with the help of his lover, where the soldiers trailed him to.
    Ossy said to have been the kingpin and among the masterminds of high profile murders and kidnappings within Lagos and Ogun states, allegedly opened fire when he sighted the military men.
    Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said efforts were on to apprehend fleeing members of Ibori’s gang.
    The police chief said most of the militants who fled Lagos creeks because of the current operations, retreated to Ondo, their base.
    He said: “Around 3 a.m today (Monday), a squad of soldiers posted to dislodge the militants who have been wreaking havoc in some parts of Lagos, engaged the criminals in a shootout at Ajakpa. Suspected leader of the gang, known as OC, was killed. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other gang members.”
    JTF spokesman Major Abubakar Abdullahi said: “Troops of Operation Delta Safe (ODS), in line with its mandate to rid Niger Delta of all criminal acts of militancy and kidnappings, in a special operation, repelled an attack on troops’ location around Ajakpa community in the creeks of Southern area of Ondo State last night.
    “The attack was led by one notorious gang leader, Ossy Ibori, with a hideout at Ajakpa in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The (militant) leader was gunned down during the gun duel with some of his gang members. His body was identified by some of the locals.
    “While the search for other criminals who jumped into the water with gunshot wounds is ongoing, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and four magazines.
    “Criminal gangs, led by late Ossy Ibori have been terrorising parts of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states prior to this operation. They committed many atrocities, threatening the peace and security of the areas.
    “Last month, the gang killed an Army Captain and four policemen at Ikorodu. Also, late last year, they abducted students and workers of a secondary school. The criminals, in addition, carried out several attacks on Ese-Odo community around Ajakpa, Safarogbo and Balowo areas.
    “The need to flush them out from their hideout became necessary to ensure peace and security in Ondo State. Sadly in the process, one gallant soldier paid the supreme price while three others sustained gunshot wounds. They have since been moved to a military hospital for proper medical attention.
    “While the operation is ongoing, let me appeal to law-abiding residents of the affected communities to remain calm, vigilant and support our troops with valuable information on the whereabouts of other criminals.”

  • Ibori appeals UK conviction

    Ibori appeals UK conviction

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori has appealed his conviction by a British court.

    Southwark Crown Court jailed for 13 years for fraud after admitting 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.

    Ibori has since been released.

    A statement from Ibori’s Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, said the former governor’s counsel informed the Southwark London court last Friday that he had filed an appeal on Ibori’s behalf.

    He said the court adjourned proceedings on the second confiscation hearing indefinitely.

    According to him, the original three-week confiscation hearing before Judge Pitts in September 2013 was unable to make any finding of theft from Delta State.

    He said the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has, since last February, been undertaking a mammoth disclosure exercise, adding that so far, substantial material evidence of police corruption and misconduct has been disclosed.

    He said CPS allegedly gagged the media from reporting on the disclosure.

    Eluemunor said: “David Rose of the London Mail and Sunday newspaper as well as other reporters  have made applications in open court for the release of this material.

    “Mr. Rose, for instance, argued it is in the public interest to do so, as the Ibori and linked cases are said to have been corrupted by Metropolitan Police corruption, prosecution misconduct and significant non-disclosure of key material which undermines the convictions.

    “A BBC report of July 2, 2016, titled ‘Ibori lawyer awarded £20,000 by Crown Prosecution Service’ mentioned police and prosecution’s misbehavior as well as their massive misleading of the courts.

    “According to the report, ‘the extraordinary payment is just the latest twist in a legal case that has led to investigations into allegations of police corruption and a cover-up of key evidence’”.

    Eluemunor said there was evidence of cover-ups which will all be presented on appeal.

    For instance, he said Mr. Lambertus de Boer, one of the bankers jailed in the Ibori case, also alleged underhand dealings that led to Ibori’s conviction.

    “De Boer, who has maintained his innocence, claimed that he is a victim of the same DfID-funded corrupt Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”) and Crown Prosecution as was Bhadresh Gohil, a co-defendant in the V-Mobile transaction and have appealed against their convictions,” the spokesman said.

    Eluemunor alleged that the Metropolitan Police’ dishonesty began early in the proceedings, adding that transcripts reveal as early as October 2007 in the original restraint proceedings that an officer was openly caught lying during cross examination at the Southwark Crown Court.

    “What is, however, clear is that the degree of mischief, created by the Met police, has been considerable.

    “Ibori’s appeal is expected to follow the arguments Mr. Gohil and De Boer opened even as it will open several new ones. The truth will now all unravel,” Eluemunor added.

  • Why I endorsed Okowa for second term, by Ibori

    Why I endorsed Okowa for second term, by Ibori

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori has endorsed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second term. He said his re-election in 2019 will enable him to complete the eight-year tenure of Delta North senatorial district in the spirit of the zoning within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ibori said one good turn deserves another.

    Ibori spoke at a rally organised to welcome him back to the country, after his release from jail in the United Kingdom where he was indicted for money laundering.

    He said Delta North had in time past supported Delta Central and Delta South to serve eight years tenure and that the principles of equity, justice and good conscience demands that the Urbobos of Delta Central must support Okowa and Delta North to complete their eight years, so as to enable Urhobo enjoy Delta North support in 2023.

    The former governor, who widely regarded as the godfather of Delta politics assured the people that the quality results of consolidated politics will be visible for all Deltans to see in 2019. He urged PDP members and supporters to rekindle their enthusiasm, hope and to ignore cheap blackmail and empty political propaganda embarked upon by “some mediocre politicians currently parading themselves as the new messiah of the people”.

    The event, which was organised by the Leader of the Delta Central PDP, Senator Ighoyota Amori, took place at the permanent site of the Western Delta University, Oghara, and was was well attended.

    Speakers at the occasion commended Ibori for his leadership role in Urhoboland and the state in general, adding that his travails in the United Kingdom is nothing but persecution. They added that his persecution, incarceration and long absence caused the Urhobos a big loss in the political equation of the country.

    Urhobo leaders who spoke include; former minister, Chief Grace Akpoguma, Chief Mike Adiotomre, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya, Secretary to the State Government, Ovia Agas, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Hon. Lovette Idisi, PDP Chairman, Kingsley Esiso, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member, Chief Judith Enamuotor, and Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo.

    Ibori thanked the PDP family, traditional rulers of Urhobo extraction and indeed the entire Urhobo nation, Deltans and Nigerians in general, for standing by him and above all for believing in him as their political leader since 1998.

  • He was a trail-blazer, says Ibori

    Former Delta State Governor James Ibori has described the late Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia as a nationally respected trail-blazer and superlative governor.

    In a statement by his Media Assistant Tony Eluemunor yesterday in Abuja, Ibori described the deceased as an inspired and inspiring leader.

    Ibori stated that whether as a soldier, administrator, politician or bureaucrat, Ogbemudia was always a trail-blazer, who set the pace for others to follow.

    He said that Ogbemudia’s achievements when he was Governor of Midwest and later Bendel, between 1968 and 1975, have remained a challenge for governors after him to meet.

    Ibori added: ”Ogbemudia turned Bendel into a super-state with intra-city modern bus service, first class education system that led other states in sports and examinations.

    “The Bendel school system was serviced by its own central book acquisition centre, the Bendel Book Depot and Ethiope Publishing Company and a Bendel Library whose trailers and boats went round the state twice a month taking books to borrowers in even the remotest parts of the state.

    “By 1970, Ogbemudia’s administration provided television viewing centres in remote villages powered by small generators.”

    According to Ibori, as a nationalist Ogbemudia provided the first seats and desks to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, immediately the civil war ended.

  • ‘Ibori‘ll continue to be a factor in Delta’

    For the National Chairman of Abigborodo  in Delta State, who also doubles as Secretary of Delta State Chapter of the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), Comrade Monday Agbeyi, ex- Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori is still a factor in the Niger Delta.

    The activist said Ibori’s return to Nigeria was not a surprise.

    According to him, the warm reception Ibori received when he returned to the country was a demonstration of the love people have for him.

    “The joy and enthusiasm to see him cannot be more demonstrated than the large turnout of supporters and well-wishers at the airport. The place was filled with political gladiators across the state and beyond.

    While recognizing the sentiment of those criticizing Ibori,  Agbeyi said in life, man is naturally faced with challenges, and such challenges with tenacity of purpose and hope will be surmounted, saying, “Chief Ibori has faced his own challenges as a human being and more importantly as a politician, and we are glad that he has overcome at the end.”

    He wondered why there have been so much interest in Ibori’s case as, “there is no one that has served as a governor or in any top political position for that matter that has 100 per cent clean record. James Ibori may have his own miscalculations as a mortal being, but it must be stated here that some of the allegations that put the former governor in the judicial crisis he found himself are spurious. Though, Chief Ibori cannot be said to be a saint but the allegations against him in my estimation were blown out of proportion to score cheap political goals against him.”.

    According to him, Ibori’s release would alter the political landscape of Delta State.

    “This is because a lot of political lightweights and pretenders holding sway while Ibori was away will disappear to give room for qualitative politicking. Due and real democratic consultations and strategies shall be brought forth for the political and socio-economic advancement of the people of the state,” Agbeyi said.

    On his advice for the ex-Delta governor, he said  he should take his rightful position as a political godfather in Delta State and should call all aggrieved members of PDP in the state and reconcile them for a stronger force.

    “He should work with other political apostles on the way forward for the betterment of the state and Nigeria at large. His joining of other prominent politicians nationally to bring about a desirable progress in the political landscape of the country is a task he must aspire to actualise.”

    He believes Ibori will continue to be relevant in the Delta State politics because  he  impacted positively on the development of the state while his tenure lasted. He left his footprints in the sands of time.

    “He will continue to be so recognised for his giant strides in the political development of the state. For this reason, his political relevance will remain in the front burner at all times among his people and Nigerian politics generally.”

    He advised that all the ethnic groups in the Niger Delta must come together advising that all the ethnic leaders must be mindful of their utterances so as to avoid confrontations and seek peaceful and legal means to settle disputes because  “these are panacea to peaceful co-existence anywhere and Delta state should not be an exception.”

    He believes Nigeria is not working the way it is supposed to be.

     

  • Ibori: Between Awokulehin and  Avwomakpa

    You be thief, I no be thief,

    You be rogue, I no be rogue,

    You be robber, I no be robber,

    You be armed robber, I no be armed robber,

    Argument, argument, argue,

    Argument, argument, argue …

    –Fela

    Fela, the “Abami Eda” himself, lived and died before the James Ibori saga, where there seems absolutely no difference between wilful self-demonisation, resulting from bad personal choices; and communal re-canonisation, arising from empty sentiments and misguided love.

    Yet, Fela excellently captured, in his famous number quoted above, the sheer unreason behind the Ibori brouhaha.  Since when did thievery, duly confirmed by a court of law, become communal controversy, in the fond hope of wishing away the obvious?

    Take the parts, in this whole gripping drama, of two lords, one judicial, the other spiritual, both sandwiching the Ibori London debacle.

    Lord Judicial, Justice Marcel Awokulehin.  His Asaba Federal High Court threw out Ibori’s 170-count sleaze charges, claiming the accused was as clean as a whistle.

    The London Southwark Crown Court, however, proudly differed, slamming Ibori in the can, after he pleaded guilty to the charges before it.  With that conviction, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appealed the Awokulehin verdict. The Court of Appeal has since tossed the judgment into the Atlantic, and ruled that Ibori indeed had a case to answer.

    Which is why it’s a little surprising that another “Awo”, but this time a Lord Spiritual, Archbishop God-do-well Avwomakpa, was busy beatifying Ibori as one of the latter saints, flushed with excitement on the pulpit, during the Ibori thanksgiving in Oghara, Delta State.

    St. Ibori may well be among the latter saints, for with all his personal tragedies, he boasts a huge community value in his native Oghara; and has shown personal kindness to not a few. But that sainthood does not extend to probity with public money, for which gargantuan misappropriation he has been found guilty and gaoled by a court of law.

    Sonala Olumhense, the respected columnist, even introduced a strange skew to the mix, pushing that since the Delta people gathered at Oghara were busy toasting Ibori, instead of roasting him, and because the diaspora perceived them as simply “Nigerian”,  the Buhari anti-sleaze crusade had collapsed!

    Shuo?  So, the anti-corruption war is now a behavioural barracks, when there ought to be no controversy as to right or wrong?  And in a purported democracy too?

    Besides, couldn’t SO have swiftly educated his beloved diaspora that only his Delta cousins, not the entire Nigerians, were toasting Ibori?  Must the government spew out everything?  Talk of the corruption of logic!  But it’s all fit ingredients for the Ibori brew!

    Hardball would not gloat over the misfortune of anyone. Ibori made a grievous mistake. He has paid for his crime. He should be allowed to be.

    But that closure is difficult to attain, if the convict blusters to please a crowd that was, at best, misguided; and holy fathers, who should know, speak in tongues on holy nothings!

    Let this rascality stop here and now. Crime and punishment have run their course. But let the convict stay penitently quiet!

    The raped society could then have compassion, forgive and move on.