I had been following the case right from when he was going through the Nigerian Justice system and then when EFCC picked it up. But those don't have a very good track record, and it was hopeless to think he would get more than a 6month sentence - remember Tafa Balogun and Cecilia Ibru? Worse, he may be released to fan fare from a rented crowd, ala Bode George. Even if some of his wealth was taken back, he would have more than enough to soon get back to "come-and-chop" politics.
Yes, I didn't expect much from our Nigerian courts but it was still painful that he was quickly cleared of all charges and released. When he was arrested in Dubai and extradited to Britain, I thought now maybe Deltans would get some real justice, and started keeping tabs again. I almost blogged about the case when his camp put out that rubbish press release after he pleaded guilty saying he only did it to save the image of Nigeria. What a load of tush!
Well, Ibori, admitted to 10 counts of conspiracy to defrauding and money laundering, and today the former governor of Delta state has been jailed for 13 years for fraud totalling nearly £50m ($77m). I even agree with the prosecution who argued that the amount he stole from the people of Delta state was "unquantified". I won't be surprised if the guy has some millions squirreled somewhere. The hope is that since some of his cohorts were also arrested, it was a clean sweep.
One of his friends, Nigeria's ex- international soccer star, John Fashanu acted as a character witness for Ibori during the court proceeding, stating that the former governor had built several mini-stadia, a couple of olympic sized stadia, a golf course and a shooting range in Delta State. I don't blame him, he probably had some nice time at the expense of Delta State people at the last two places.
To be clear, the small Asaba stadium was indeed contracted to be renovated and the capacity increased to Olympic size. After the millions voted and disbursed, the stadium is still under construction up till now. The golf course Fashanu referred to is situated inside the State's Government house and is only open to the governor's guests. Ibori and fashanu are such sports supporters, yet the Sports Club in Asaba is as dilapidated as anything. From what I heard, the only stadium the Ibori tenure managed to complete in his hometown, Oghara, is of low quality and is already falling apart.
The scary thing about corruption in Nigeria is how those who are involved always have friends. These governors, ministers and other government officials who mismanage or out-rightly steal public funds are parents, brothers, uncles, aunts, friends, mentors and philanthropists to some people. It is these people that will ensure they get off the hook whenever they are indicted, and throw parties when they're released. Even if they throw scraps our way, can we not see that we're harmed in the long run?
Anyway, Ibori's sentencing is a small step. Maybe corruption will become less attractive to those who are paying attention. It should never pay to steal.
Is that his mug shot and booking number? He looks different now. Life! Well, Ibori did not do anything different like his colleagues in a corrupt Nigerian state whose crimes in some of the cases outweighs that of Ibori. Ibori stepped on toes and that's the only reason he was nailed. He thought he had guts as governor to mess with the big guns, the big time oil companies that runs the affairs of state anywhere on the face of this planet - Shell. But we should bear one thing in mind, his assets and properties in Dubai remains untouched...
ReplyDeleteLt's hope that Dubai loot is the least of his properties.
DeleteI am so disappointed in Fashanu. Its one thing if people support him privately, but when someone as notable as Fashanu comes to tarnish his image and support corruption publicly, them its appalling
ReplyDeleteWell, what do they say about friends indeed? I wish he didn't have supporters at all both in public and private.
DeleteLike you rightly said it's a small step to ending corruption in Nigeria but sadly the problem is deeply rooted and endemic in Nigeria - it's in fact a way of life.
ReplyDeleteIt will take more than just Ibori's prosecution to curb corruption in Nigeria. You need strong institutions that operates within the rule of law to stem the tide of corruption.
We have a long way to go but a welcome development nonetheless.
Yes, I will take more than this to totally curb curruption and we should view this development for the small step it is.
DeleteI don't know enough about Nigerian to give a quality comment, but, from responses above, it looks like justice was done. And, I'd like to share that a TV station in the Washington, D.C. area now has a news announcer whose family came from Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteJustice indeed was done. Thanks, Kittie.
DeleteJustice will eventually prevail, no matter what.
ReplyDelete- LDP
That is the hope :)
DeleteIts a sad reality that we now have to rely on foreign governments to bring us justice. For the same crime that he bagged 13years for, our crime-fighters EFCC discharged the charges. Goes a long way to show how deep-rooted corruption is in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteAs for John Fashanu, only him knows what world he's living in. Tres disappointed in him
Really sad, but better something than nothing, I guess. EFCC is almost like a toothless bulldog at this rate.
DeleteActually Hazel, the EFCC pursued this file all the way to court but the charges against Ibori (over 150 of them) were dismissed magically by what i suspect to be a bent judge. Snazzy wrote about one of the factors that affected the case here: http://naijanaz.blogspot.ca/2009/07/lack-of-evidence.html
DeleteThe effort to shield Ibori from justice involved top officials in Nigeria. According to Wikileaks, the former Attorney General and even the then president were part of those who did their best to bury the case both in Nigeria and in London. So the fact that this man was finally sentenced is a huge deal because left to many in Nigeria, he would be still be walking around as a free man today.
Great insight. This is indeed a very small step I have noticed that not every Nigerian wanted complete elimination of corruption because may be they feel well there's is small scale. You
ReplyDeleteMay here of one preaching against it but that same one is asking his brother who owes him for a job favor that he or she is not qualified for. If all Nigerians understand that it is better for us to eliminate it completely then I believe the real change will begin. There's no good excuse for corruption.
I agree with you that this corruption is endemic because many people gain from it, but there should be no excuse.
DeleteWhats Fashanu saying, as if James Ibori used his salary for sport development in Delta is it not the peoples money? trying to justify the amount the guy stole. I think he need to be probe also.
ReplyDelete