Corruption Set to Win in Nigeria - Will this Impact on the Aviation Sector?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lagos
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Corruption Set to Win in Nigeria - Will this Impact on the Aviation Sector?
The following is a sad indictment of how corruption seems set to triumph over justice again in Nigeria. It sends bad signals for the future direction of the country and makes me wonder if the aviation sector could also be affected. The NCAA having gained its autonomy could revert back to the bad old days if corruption is to come to the fore again as the benchmark as to how to get things done in this country.
At present James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Nigeria's Delta State is in prison on charges of stealing, money laundering and fraud. It's estimated that while in office, Obori managed to steal more than $US 1 billion! There are 129 charges against the former governor, but he has powerful allies, amongst them President Umaru Yar'Adua. He is now sending out a not-very subtle message to the world that he is preparing to give up his support for the fight against corruption and protect the source of the stolen funds which helped to rig the election which brought him to power. How very unusual - a corrupt Nigerian politician . He seems to have finally given in to pressure from mega-crook Ibori to get rid of the very effective Nuhu Ribadu, the Chairman of the Economic Fraud and Crimes Commission (EFCC) and send him on one year's study leave, despite pressure from the US government. Ribadu as an Assistant Inspector General of Police and is expected to be replaced with another police officer, Solomon Arase known to be a close associate of James Ibori, and a former aide to the disgraced Police Chief, Tafa Balogun. The Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro is an appointee of James Ibori. He was appointed in May 2007 by-passing a more senior DIG, Onovo to clinch the position. The EFCC arrested James Ibori two weeks ago and charged him before a Federal High Court in Kaduna for corruption and abuse of office. He was charged with 129 offences. James Ibori was denied bail last week and remanded in Kaduna Prison. Sources in Nigeria say that he now runs the Police force from Kaduna Prison
At present James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Nigeria's Delta State is in prison on charges of stealing, money laundering and fraud. It's estimated that while in office, Obori managed to steal more than $US 1 billion! There are 129 charges against the former governor, but he has powerful allies, amongst them President Umaru Yar'Adua. He is now sending out a not-very subtle message to the world that he is preparing to give up his support for the fight against corruption and protect the source of the stolen funds which helped to rig the election which brought him to power. How very unusual - a corrupt Nigerian politician . He seems to have finally given in to pressure from mega-crook Ibori to get rid of the very effective Nuhu Ribadu, the Chairman of the Economic Fraud and Crimes Commission (EFCC) and send him on one year's study leave, despite pressure from the US government. Ribadu as an Assistant Inspector General of Police and is expected to be replaced with another police officer, Solomon Arase known to be a close associate of James Ibori, and a former aide to the disgraced Police Chief, Tafa Balogun. The Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro is an appointee of James Ibori. He was appointed in May 2007 by-passing a more senior DIG, Onovo to clinch the position. The EFCC arrested James Ibori two weeks ago and charged him before a Federal High Court in Kaduna for corruption and abuse of office. He was charged with 129 offences. James Ibori was denied bail last week and remanded in Kaduna Prison. Sources in Nigeria say that he now runs the Police force from Kaduna Prison
Political Elites gain upper hand over EFCC
The things that people sneak out in the holiday season....... If its between Christmas and New Year you can guarantee this will be when government will try and announce that it lost £10 billion because a junior clerk invested all the Home Office’s spare cash in sub prime mortgages. Or this will be when MPs try to sneak through a pay rise for themselves.
Nigeria ’s Christmas season could have disastrous consequences for the struggle against corruption and the credibility of the Y’Adua administration. As you read this narrative, last ditch discussions are probably continuing to see if pressure can prevent Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Nuhu Ribadu, from being sent on extended ‘study leave’. His replacement is rumoured to be a direct associate of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, who was detained last week on corruption charges.
As struggles for supremacy go, there has never been much subtlety to the battle between the EFCC and politicians in Nigeria who are the targets of investigations . Last Christmas Ribadu arrested associates of former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, just as he was closing out his campaign for the (Vice) Presidency of the country. This year Ribadu arrested Delta State Governor, James Ibori, the day that Y’Adua was flying to Washington to meet George Bush for the first time. Ibori was widely known to have provided substantial and probably massive funds to Y’Adua’s presidential election campaign which many had assumed would make him immune from prosecution.
Occasional followers of Nigeria may wonder how much difference one person makes in a sea of corruption as they often miss the uneven and dramatic struggle that he has come to personify. The EFCC was created in 2003 with Ribadu- a middle ranking police officer - selected to lead the body and it has been a controversial thorn in the side of corrupt officials ever since. In March 2005, after just two years on the job, Ribadu presented a dossier to President Obasanjo which led to the sacking and jailing of the Inspector General of Police. It would probably be the equivalent of a Yorkshire Police Chief being plucked from obscurity to sack the head of the Metropolitan Police.
Since then the EFCC’s progress against corruption has been a mixed bag in terms of results but an under-rated whirlwind in terms of political message. The biggest centres of corruption have often had constitutionally granted immunity while in office and others can rely on political friends and a very dubious court system. Successful prosecutions were few and far between and even the former IG of police only bagged 2 years of ‘time served’ when he was convicted of massive and systematic corruption. This year was not a glorious one for the EFCC as President Obasanjo was accused of using the EFCC to harass political opponents while it was obvious the EFCC did not have clearance to move on political friends.
Incoming President Y’Adua is hardly in an enviable position. Ibori is widely believed to have paid for key parts of his election campaign with funds which could only have come from his state government coffers. His arrest will be seen as more than ingratitude by political elites who are used to getting value for money from corrupt investments. There will be many who assume that the Presidency cannot survive a full disclosure of what Ibori has done with his state’s funds in the past 12 months.
Despite denting its image the EFCC retained its growing reputation as the only thing which would deter corrupt politicians from unlimited excesses. The EFCC has become code for accountability in Nigeria – and nowhere more so than in the Niger Delta. Perhaps most significant has been the persistent complaint against the EFCC that key politicians such as Ibori and Odili were always going to be untouchable. This became even more controversial in recent months as the Attorney General made his affiliations clear by dragging his feet at every opportunity over EFCC prosecutions and even moving to whittle back the influence of the body.
The key change which has come in late 2007- and which may have contributed to fear of the EFCC in Abuja- is that the court system has slowly begun to waken from its slumber and make its own politically courageous decisions. In March the Supreme Court faced down President Obasanjo and the PDP over efforts to exclude candidates for the election and in November they threw out the Rivers State Governor on the grounds that his candidature was an illegal shambles. The combination of the EFCC and a reviving court system was set to become the story of 2008 and possibly the first real time that corrupt elites could fear some loss of control over their destiny.
The United Kingdom, Canada, and the EU have invested heavily in the EFCC and Ribadu providing both financial and political support. Governors accused of money laundering have been arrested in the UK while still enjoying immunity in Nigeria and international assistance in tracking corruption has clearly been important to the EFCC’s success. James Ibori already faces money laundering charges in the UK and in one sense Ribadu’s removal may well be blowback from pressure on Nigeria to prosecute Ibori.
A good deal of the international strategy and hope for Nigeria lies around the assumption that the EFCC will be able to continue doing its job- something which now looks like it will be determined for better or worse in the next week.
In the Niger Delta Ribadu has achieved almost legendary status which has counter-balanced a general scepticism about the credibility of government. The removal of Ribadu at the same time that dialogue efforts with government have collapsed does not bode well for how communities and militants alike will assess the attitude of the new government.
If Ribadu’s transfer stands they will conclude that corrupt defenders of the status quo have restored their grip on the political system. There will be no reason for trust and little reason for conventional negotiation. Those advancing arguments against armed struggle will have a much harder time making their case and militancy in the region may well assume a much broader appeal if the EFCC withers under a new more pliable leadership.
There is an obvious choice for the international community – on whether it banks on existing elites to deliver stability (and oil) or whether it recognises that corruption is now a leading driver of instability and their support for the EFCC remains their best investment in decades.
Defenders of the EFCC and Ribadu may still have an opportunity to reverse yesterday’s announcement. President Y’Adua’s administration has responded more than once already to diplomatic and public pressure against the watering down of the EFCC. The reversal of Ribadu;s removal will be more difficult. Observers at profligate corruption trackers Sahara reporters have noted that technically it may not be strictly legal to redeploy Ribadu mid way through his second four year term- it appears he can be sacked but possibly not involuntarily transferred.
If Ribadu’s job is rescued – and it is a big IF- there could be a significant upside for Nigeria. Presently public pressure appears to be building against corruption and success in protecting the EFCC would mark an interesting change in the relationship between elites and the emerging ‘angry middle classes’ who seem interested in reclaiming their country. Whether the international community can translate its support for governance in Nigeria into real pressure will also be an interesting test of resolve..
Most crucially, this week will also show whether diplomats, civil society groups, and the public are sufficiently motivated and organised to save their favourite institution or whether a political mugging over Christmas can be achieved while everyone is sipping Brandy and mulled wine.
The things that people sneak out in the holiday season....... If its between Christmas and New Year you can guarantee this will be when government will try and announce that it lost £10 billion because a junior clerk invested all the Home Office’s spare cash in sub prime mortgages. Or this will be when MPs try to sneak through a pay rise for themselves.
Nigeria ’s Christmas season could have disastrous consequences for the struggle against corruption and the credibility of the Y’Adua administration. As you read this narrative, last ditch discussions are probably continuing to see if pressure can prevent Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Nuhu Ribadu, from being sent on extended ‘study leave’. His replacement is rumoured to be a direct associate of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, who was detained last week on corruption charges.
As struggles for supremacy go, there has never been much subtlety to the battle between the EFCC and politicians in Nigeria who are the targets of investigations . Last Christmas Ribadu arrested associates of former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, just as he was closing out his campaign for the (Vice) Presidency of the country. This year Ribadu arrested Delta State Governor, James Ibori, the day that Y’Adua was flying to Washington to meet George Bush for the first time. Ibori was widely known to have provided substantial and probably massive funds to Y’Adua’s presidential election campaign which many had assumed would make him immune from prosecution.
Occasional followers of Nigeria may wonder how much difference one person makes in a sea of corruption as they often miss the uneven and dramatic struggle that he has come to personify. The EFCC was created in 2003 with Ribadu- a middle ranking police officer - selected to lead the body and it has been a controversial thorn in the side of corrupt officials ever since. In March 2005, after just two years on the job, Ribadu presented a dossier to President Obasanjo which led to the sacking and jailing of the Inspector General of Police. It would probably be the equivalent of a Yorkshire Police Chief being plucked from obscurity to sack the head of the Metropolitan Police.
Since then the EFCC’s progress against corruption has been a mixed bag in terms of results but an under-rated whirlwind in terms of political message. The biggest centres of corruption have often had constitutionally granted immunity while in office and others can rely on political friends and a very dubious court system. Successful prosecutions were few and far between and even the former IG of police only bagged 2 years of ‘time served’ when he was convicted of massive and systematic corruption. This year was not a glorious one for the EFCC as President Obasanjo was accused of using the EFCC to harass political opponents while it was obvious the EFCC did not have clearance to move on political friends.
Incoming President Y’Adua is hardly in an enviable position. Ibori is widely believed to have paid for key parts of his election campaign with funds which could only have come from his state government coffers. His arrest will be seen as more than ingratitude by political elites who are used to getting value for money from corrupt investments. There will be many who assume that the Presidency cannot survive a full disclosure of what Ibori has done with his state’s funds in the past 12 months.
Despite denting its image the EFCC retained its growing reputation as the only thing which would deter corrupt politicians from unlimited excesses. The EFCC has become code for accountability in Nigeria – and nowhere more so than in the Niger Delta. Perhaps most significant has been the persistent complaint against the EFCC that key politicians such as Ibori and Odili were always going to be untouchable. This became even more controversial in recent months as the Attorney General made his affiliations clear by dragging his feet at every opportunity over EFCC prosecutions and even moving to whittle back the influence of the body.
The key change which has come in late 2007- and which may have contributed to fear of the EFCC in Abuja- is that the court system has slowly begun to waken from its slumber and make its own politically courageous decisions. In March the Supreme Court faced down President Obasanjo and the PDP over efforts to exclude candidates for the election and in November they threw out the Rivers State Governor on the grounds that his candidature was an illegal shambles. The combination of the EFCC and a reviving court system was set to become the story of 2008 and possibly the first real time that corrupt elites could fear some loss of control over their destiny.
The United Kingdom, Canada, and the EU have invested heavily in the EFCC and Ribadu providing both financial and political support. Governors accused of money laundering have been arrested in the UK while still enjoying immunity in Nigeria and international assistance in tracking corruption has clearly been important to the EFCC’s success. James Ibori already faces money laundering charges in the UK and in one sense Ribadu’s removal may well be blowback from pressure on Nigeria to prosecute Ibori.
A good deal of the international strategy and hope for Nigeria lies around the assumption that the EFCC will be able to continue doing its job- something which now looks like it will be determined for better or worse in the next week.
In the Niger Delta Ribadu has achieved almost legendary status which has counter-balanced a general scepticism about the credibility of government. The removal of Ribadu at the same time that dialogue efforts with government have collapsed does not bode well for how communities and militants alike will assess the attitude of the new government.
If Ribadu’s transfer stands they will conclude that corrupt defenders of the status quo have restored their grip on the political system. There will be no reason for trust and little reason for conventional negotiation. Those advancing arguments against armed struggle will have a much harder time making their case and militancy in the region may well assume a much broader appeal if the EFCC withers under a new more pliable leadership.
There is an obvious choice for the international community – on whether it banks on existing elites to deliver stability (and oil) or whether it recognises that corruption is now a leading driver of instability and their support for the EFCC remains their best investment in decades.
Defenders of the EFCC and Ribadu may still have an opportunity to reverse yesterday’s announcement. President Y’Adua’s administration has responded more than once already to diplomatic and public pressure against the watering down of the EFCC. The reversal of Ribadu;s removal will be more difficult. Observers at profligate corruption trackers Sahara reporters have noted that technically it may not be strictly legal to redeploy Ribadu mid way through his second four year term- it appears he can be sacked but possibly not involuntarily transferred.
If Ribadu’s job is rescued – and it is a big IF- there could be a significant upside for Nigeria. Presently public pressure appears to be building against corruption and success in protecting the EFCC would mark an interesting change in the relationship between elites and the emerging ‘angry middle classes’ who seem interested in reclaiming their country. Whether the international community can translate its support for governance in Nigeria into real pressure will also be an interesting test of resolve..
Most crucially, this week will also show whether diplomats, civil society groups, and the public are sufficiently motivated and organised to save their favourite institution or whether a political mugging over Christmas can be achieved while everyone is sipping Brandy and mulled wine.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: South Africa
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow! This is serious! Yes, and it may affect Aviation! Is james Ibori not involved with his own airline in dubious practices? If this removal of somebody that tried to put an end to corruption is true, then it will be a SAD day for Nigeria! All that we can do is PRAY for that country! Only GOD can change the heart of people! All HONEST Nigerians and the rest of the world should unite in PRAYER against corruption!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jankara
Age: 64
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nobel Laureate Compares Removal of Ribadu to Assassination of Bhutto
Nigeria's Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has compared the removal of Nuhu Ribadu with the assassination of Banazir Bhutto in terms of its effect on the country.
Nobel Laureate, Prof-essor Wole Soyinka yesterday strongly condemned the removal of Nuhu Ribadu as chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as a contemptuous New Year gift, that constitutes an assault on the corporate integrity of the nation.
Comparing the removal of Ribadu to the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader, Mrs. Benazir Bhuto, Soyinka in a press statement said Ribadu’s removal would have a far more devastating impact on the psyche of the Nigerian nation “than the deadly event that now threatens to destabilize Pakistan,” through the assassination of her democratic front runner, Benazir Bhutto.
Also, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi said with the removal of Ribadu, the government has subverted the anti-corruption crusade embarked upon by the EFCC under the outstanding leadership of Ribadu
Soyinka said the precarious socio-political condition into which the Pakistani people have been thrown, echoed, in both parallel and divergent directions, the blow dealt to the Nigerian nation by the “assassination” of the head of the EFCC.
The Nobel Laureate said Ribadu had commenced “the process of restoring dignity to a people whose nation has become a byword for the most breath-taking scam in high-places, for endemic corruption, contempt for accountability and transparency and the abuse of national resources in the pursuit of personal and party power consolidation.”
Comparing the removal of Ribadu to the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader, Mrs. Benazir Bhuto, Soyinka in a press statement said Ribadu’s removal would have a far more devastating impact on the psyche of the Nigerian nation “than the deadly event that now threatens to destabilize Pakistan,” through the assassination of her democratic front runner, Benazir Bhutto.
Also, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi said with the removal of Ribadu, the government has subverted the anti-corruption crusade embarked upon by the EFCC under the outstanding leadership of Ribadu
Soyinka said the precarious socio-political condition into which the Pakistani people have been thrown, echoed, in both parallel and divergent directions, the blow dealt to the Nigerian nation by the “assassination” of the head of the EFCC.
The Nobel Laureate said Ribadu had commenced “the process of restoring dignity to a people whose nation has become a byword for the most breath-taking scam in high-places, for endemic corruption, contempt for accountability and transparency and the abuse of national resources in the pursuit of personal and party power consolidation.”
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lagos
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Violence Resumes in Port Harcourt - Kidnappings to Resume
The day after the state curfew in Rivers State was dropped 18 people died in attacks in Port Harcourt. Supporters of Tom Ateke, one of the most powerful militant leaders in Port Harcourt and self-styled leader of the New Niger Delta Revolutionary Army, attacked 2 police stations, a nightclub and the Presidential Hotel
MEND has now declared that it will resume violent attacks on oil installations and its kidnapping campaign after talks with the federal government have broken down. They have said that they will extend their kidnapping campaign to Lagos and Abuja. As previously, they have also called on all white men to leave the region.
Meanwhile, it is becoming apparent that former governor of Delta State, James Ibori is running the Nigerian Police force from his prison cell as evidenced in the latest article from Abuja-based newspaper, Leadership':
MEND has now declared that it will resume violent attacks on oil installations and its kidnapping campaign after talks with the federal government have broken down. They have said that they will extend their kidnapping campaign to Lagos and Abuja. As previously, they have also called on all white men to leave the region.
Meanwhile, it is becoming apparent that former governor of Delta State, James Ibori is running the Nigerian Police force from his prison cell as evidenced in the latest article from Abuja-based newspaper, Leadership':
The popular saying that "he who pays the piper dictates the tune" is evidently manifesting in the policies and programmes of the Yar’Adua Administration.
A senior staff of the presidency told LEADERSHIP last night that though the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, was still cooling off in Kaduna prison over alleged corrupt practices, he, to a very large extent, still dictates some crucial policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
"Former governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State may be at Kaduna prison but his influence on the Federal Government is even more formidable today than it was before May 29, 2007," said the source.
Chief Ibori is widely believed to have invested close to N9 billion in the electioneering campaign of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan presidential ticket. And immediately after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully picked him up in Abuja he had vowed that he would teach Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the executive chairman of EFCC, the lesson of his life, even before hearing on his case against the anti-crimes agency starts.
"Those of us who know the huge influence Chief Ibori wields on President Yar’Adua were not shocked over the problems Ribadu is going through. It was Ibori who influenced the appointment of the minister of justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, and Sir Mike Okiro, the inspector general of police," our source added.
The source said Ibori was virtually running the police force through Okiro, adding that the police boss was carrying out the former governor’s order that all policemen should be withdrawn from the EFCC.
Apart from working in line with the dictate of President Yar’Adua and Chief Ibori, LEADERSHIP checks revealed that Sir Mike may have acted very fast to avoid the kind of treatment a former inspector general of police, Tafa Balogun, suffered at the hands of EFCC.
Our correspondent gathered that Sir Mike might have got an inkling that Ribadu was preparing a stinking massive dossier on him as a prelude for his arrest.
The police boss was said to have unsuccessfully attempted several times to lobby Ribadu against prosecuting some suspected financial criminals.
Our correspondent who visited Kaduna prison during the week also, confirmed Ibori’s dominion over the affairs of the Delta State government.
With several Delta State owned Jeeps parked in the premises of the prison, serving commissioners in the state pay frequent visit to the prison.
"Ibori lives like a king in that prison," said the source, adding, "Because of the sheer number of VIPs who troop to visit him, you have to book for an appointment through his aides."
Recently, the embattled Oghara-born politician was reported to have procured for the prison a generator set to ward off the nuisance of power outage in the prison yard.
"But for the steadfastness and integrity of Justice Lawal Shu’aibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, Chief Ibori made an attempt to infiltrate the judiciary recently," a senior security officer attached to the Kaduna judiciary said.
A well-known political associate of the former governor was heard bragging at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, recently that the Federal Government is their government because, according to him, "Ibori spent billions of naira to help Yar’Adua come to power."
But our source was emphatic that President Yar’Adua may not be fully aware of the schemings going on.
"They are just using the fact that they sponsored his campaign," the source said.
In his current seeming battle to save his political career, LEADERSHIP investigation revealed, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta, has proven to be a loyal political son of Ibori.
With a deep pocket, Dr. Uduaghan, a first cousin of Ibori, was said to be oiling every move to get his predecessor out of the prison.
It will be recalled that the Uduaghan-led Delta State government recently instituted a legal action against EFCC, with the aim of restraining the anti-financial crimes agency from prosecuting Ibori.
A senior staff of the presidency told LEADERSHIP last night that though the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, was still cooling off in Kaduna prison over alleged corrupt practices, he, to a very large extent, still dictates some crucial policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
"Former governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State may be at Kaduna prison but his influence on the Federal Government is even more formidable today than it was before May 29, 2007," said the source.
Chief Ibori is widely believed to have invested close to N9 billion in the electioneering campaign of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan presidential ticket. And immediately after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully picked him up in Abuja he had vowed that he would teach Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the executive chairman of EFCC, the lesson of his life, even before hearing on his case against the anti-crimes agency starts.
"Those of us who know the huge influence Chief Ibori wields on President Yar’Adua were not shocked over the problems Ribadu is going through. It was Ibori who influenced the appointment of the minister of justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, and Sir Mike Okiro, the inspector general of police," our source added.
The source said Ibori was virtually running the police force through Okiro, adding that the police boss was carrying out the former governor’s order that all policemen should be withdrawn from the EFCC.
Apart from working in line with the dictate of President Yar’Adua and Chief Ibori, LEADERSHIP checks revealed that Sir Mike may have acted very fast to avoid the kind of treatment a former inspector general of police, Tafa Balogun, suffered at the hands of EFCC.
Our correspondent gathered that Sir Mike might have got an inkling that Ribadu was preparing a stinking massive dossier on him as a prelude for his arrest.
The police boss was said to have unsuccessfully attempted several times to lobby Ribadu against prosecuting some suspected financial criminals.
Our correspondent who visited Kaduna prison during the week also, confirmed Ibori’s dominion over the affairs of the Delta State government.
With several Delta State owned Jeeps parked in the premises of the prison, serving commissioners in the state pay frequent visit to the prison.
"Ibori lives like a king in that prison," said the source, adding, "Because of the sheer number of VIPs who troop to visit him, you have to book for an appointment through his aides."
Recently, the embattled Oghara-born politician was reported to have procured for the prison a generator set to ward off the nuisance of power outage in the prison yard.
"But for the steadfastness and integrity of Justice Lawal Shu’aibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, Chief Ibori made an attempt to infiltrate the judiciary recently," a senior security officer attached to the Kaduna judiciary said.
A well-known political associate of the former governor was heard bragging at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, recently that the Federal Government is their government because, according to him, "Ibori spent billions of naira to help Yar’Adua come to power."
But our source was emphatic that President Yar’Adua may not be fully aware of the schemings going on.
"They are just using the fact that they sponsored his campaign," the source said.
In his current seeming battle to save his political career, LEADERSHIP investigation revealed, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta, has proven to be a loyal political son of Ibori.
With a deep pocket, Dr. Uduaghan, a first cousin of Ibori, was said to be oiling every move to get his predecessor out of the prison.
It will be recalled that the Uduaghan-led Delta State government recently instituted a legal action against EFCC, with the aim of restraining the anti-financial crimes agency from prosecuting Ibori.
