It took Justice Nicholas Pitts, just one hour to end the five-year legal ordeal of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, whom he sentenced to spend 13 years in a United Kingdom prison. The sentence ended the legal battle between the strongman of Delta State politics and the combined powers of the EFCC and the UK legal system.
Effectively, Chief Ibori who did not betray any emotion, will spend about four and half years in prison considering the deductions the judge made to the conviction.
In passing the sentence, the judge said that he considered the fact that Chief Ibori pleaded guilty to the V-mobile case and to money laundering on the eve of the commencement of the trial which he said could have lasted six months. He also praised Chief Ibori’s courage to plead guilty considering the fact that one of his co-accused had been freed on a similar charge.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
PDP ACN in war of words over Oshiomhole mansion
The build-up to the July 14 governorship election in Edo State heightened on Tuesday following allegations of diversion of public funds by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
The Peoples Democratic Party at a press conference in Benin accused the governor of using tax payer’s money to construct a country home, which it estimated at N10bn, in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area.
PDP state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, expressed shock at what he described as the fraudulent and fake posture of Oshiomhole.
In a swift reaction, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Tony Iyare, described the allegations as an attempt by the PDP in the state to cause disaffection and “throw mud at the hard earned reputation” of the governor.
Iyare, in a statement, claimed the PDP’s goal was to cause mischief, “particular at a time Edo people are clamouring for his return for a second term.”
Orbih, during a preview of video slides of supposed aerial view of a massive residential project under construction purportedly belonging to Oshiomhole, said, “I know most of you have paid visit to Governor Oshiomhole’s home in Iyamho. I am sure you have seen his private residence before he assumed office and I am shocked at the pictures displayed.
“Why this is shocking to many is because of the fake posture of the governor. We are also aware that after coming to office his statures changed, even his private residence has change.
“You will agree with me that the slogan the governor adopted when he came to the office was ‘Let the People Lead,’ but we have since discovered that it is a one man show government.
“Oshiomhole has said a lot about our governorship candidate, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, making spurious allegations which found space at the back page of some newspapers but we didn’t bother to join issues with him because we knew his stock in trade is to deceive people.”
Iyare, who noted that Oshiomhole built his only home more than 20 years ago, described PDP’s N10bn mansion allegation as fairy tale, existing in the imagination of the sponsors.
“We are aware that the promoters of this laughable falsehood had gone round many media houses in Lagos with sack-loads of blood money to induce its publication, but were turned down outright on the basis of the amateurish job done, until the cheap bait finally caught these unconscionable hacks in the periphery of yellow journalism,” he said.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Goodluck; I have not declared interest for 2015
AGAINST the backdrop of speculations on his political ambition, President Goodluck Jonathan has declared before an Abuja High Court that he was yet to indicate or announce anywhere that he would contest for presidency in 2015. The president was responding to a suit asking the court to disqualify him from contesting the 2015 presidential election.
Jonathan who approached the court through his consortium of lawyers led by Chief Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, described the suit which was filed against him by a chieftain of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku, as frivolous and highly vexatious. He insisted that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, permits him to contest for not more than two terms of four years each. The president, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the suit against him.
Jonathan who approached the court through his consortium of lawyers led by Chief Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, described the suit which was filed against him by a chieftain of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku, as frivolous and highly vexatious. He insisted that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, permits him to contest for not more than two terms of four years each. The president, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the suit against him.
Kim beats Okonjo Iwuala to world bank job
The World Bank chose Korean-American physician Jim Yong Kim as its next chief Monday in a decision that surprised few despite the first-ever challenge to the US lock on the Bank’s presidency.
The Bank’s directors chose Kim, a 52 year old US health expert and educator, over Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had argued that the huge lender needs reorientation under someone from the developing world.
Kim, 52 and currently president of the Ivy League University Dartmouth, will replace outgoing President Robert Zoellick, the former US diplomat who is departing in June at the end of his five-year term.
The Bank’s directors expressed “deep appreciation” to Kim, Okonjo-Iweala and a third candidate, Colombian economist Jose Antonio Ocampo, who pulled out of the race Friday.
“Their candidacies enriched the discussion of the role of the president and of the World Bank Group’s future direction,” the Bank said in a statement.
“The final nominees received support from different member countries, which reflected the high caliber of the candidates.”
Nevertheless, there had been little doubt about the choice of Kim, even as he breaks the pattern of American bankers and diplomats being named to lead the huge development bank.
By a longstanding pact Washington has chosen the head of the World Bank while Europe has held control of who leads its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.
The Bank’s directors chose Kim, a 52 year old US health expert and educator, over Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who had argued that the huge lender needs reorientation under someone from the developing world.
Kim, 52 and currently president of the Ivy League University Dartmouth, will replace outgoing President Robert Zoellick, the former US diplomat who is departing in June at the end of his five-year term.
The Bank’s directors expressed “deep appreciation” to Kim, Okonjo-Iweala and a third candidate, Colombian economist Jose Antonio Ocampo, who pulled out of the race Friday.
“Their candidacies enriched the discussion of the role of the president and of the World Bank Group’s future direction,” the Bank said in a statement.
“The final nominees received support from different member countries, which reflected the high caliber of the candidates.”
Nevertheless, there had been little doubt about the choice of Kim, even as he breaks the pattern of American bankers and diplomats being named to lead the huge development bank.
By a longstanding pact Washington has chosen the head of the World Bank while Europe has held control of who leads its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund.
F.C.E Obudu holds first matriculation
We want to use this online media to announce to the general public that The federal college of education, F.C.E Obudu in affiliation with University of Calabar, UNICAL held her first matriculation celebration on the 14th of April 2012 at senator Greg Ngaji Lecture theatre in FCE Obudu.
The purpose of the matriculation ceremony was to usher in of the Degree (B.ED) and Professional Diploma (PGDE) students.
The VIPS in attendance are; the V.C University of Calabar, Director of Academic Programme UNICAL, and many more... And the provost federal college of education obudu (F.C.E Obudu), Dean of the various schools, HODs and staff of the college. It was a joyous celebration! F.C.E Obudu- Begins B.ED/ PGDE in Affiliation with University of Calabar
In a short speech by the provost he said, and i quote "indeed it is a great day in the history of the college since the establishment of the school in 1982. He advised the matriculants to be well behaved and put away all act of cultism, fraternities, joining of unacceptable groups and immoral behaviours so as to achieve their aim of been in the college".
After the traditional oat taking, the matriculants were fully recognized as Bona-fide members of the university of Calabar.
The Matriculation ceremony ended by a word of prayers by pastor Ezekiel: a staff of the Federal College of Education Obudu
Read more:
The purpose of the matriculation ceremony was to usher in of the Degree (B.ED) and Professional Diploma (PGDE) students.
The VIPS in attendance are; the V.C University of Calabar, Director of Academic Programme UNICAL, and many more... And the provost federal college of education obudu (F.C.E Obudu), Dean of the various schools, HODs and staff of the college. It was a joyous celebration! F.C.E Obudu- Begins B.ED/ PGDE in Affiliation with University of Calabar
In a short speech by the provost he said, and i quote "indeed it is a great day in the history of the college since the establishment of the school in 1982. He advised the matriculants to be well behaved and put away all act of cultism, fraternities, joining of unacceptable groups and immoral behaviours so as to achieve their aim of been in the college".
After the traditional oat taking, the matriculants were fully recognized as Bona-fide members of the university of Calabar.
The Matriculation ceremony ended by a word of prayers by pastor Ezekiel: a staff of the Federal College of Education Obudu
Read more:
Ibori may get 10 yerars imprisonment today
Former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges at Southwark Crown Court 12 in London, may be sentenced today (Monday).
Ibori had pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud, money laundering and corruption put at about $250m before Justice Anthony Pitts.
He faces up to 10 years in a UK prison and is coming barely a few days after his accomplice and financial advisor, Ghanaian-born Elias Preko, had been acquitted.
In a short submission, Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, Sasha Wass, QC, had said the prosecution did not seek to go ahead with Ibori’s trial anymore because “Mr. Ibori has accepted the entirety of the prosecution’s case as it has always been set out.”
But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which had expressed happiness with the confession of Ibori before the London court, had also indicated that the former governor would also be tried in Nigeria after serving his jail terms in UK.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, had said the commission had been vindicated that the ex-govenor had a case to answer.
He said, “The interesting aspect of the development in London is the fact that Ibori chickened out of a full blown fraud and money laundering trial by changing his plea.
“This was purely a gambit to run away with a lighter sentence, rather than the product of a plea bargain as erroneously reported earlier in sections of the media. For the avoidance doubt, plea bargain is not recognised in UK criminal justice system.
“Sadly, it has taken five years of legal rigmarole and high drama for the former governor to own up to having committed some of the crimes for which Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court, Asaba, sensationally acquitted him in December 2009. The commission challenged the ruling. That appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal, Benin City, Edo State.”
The EFCC is however not happy with the country’s judiciary since a Nigerian court acquitted him in Asaba, Delta State.
The spokesman said, “While the EFCC looks forward to the sentencing of Ibori on April 16, it is however, a matter of concern that it took the intervention of the UK criminal justice system for justice to be served in the Ibori case.
“While all who worry over the effect of corruption on our nation may celebrate the Ibori guilty plea, we must all spare a thought for our judiciary, which needs urgent reform to ensure that those who loot our treasury do not get away with their loot.
“Indeed, Nigerians must rally in support of the dogged efforts of the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, to reform the judiciary for greater efficiency.
“Now that Ibori has owned up to his crime, the commission is mindful of the concern in some quarters as to what becomes of his case with the EFCC. Will he be arrested and tried again on the completion of his jail term in London?
“Or, will the EFCC close the Ibori case? For the benefit of stakeholders and lovers of justice, it is interesting to note that the offences for which Ibori faces imminent jail term in London is only a minute aspect of the bouquet of offences committed by the former governor during his eight-year rule in Delta State.”
There were also indications that the ex-governor could still face trial after his ordeal abroad.
Uwujaren added, “The bulk of the criminal charges against the former governor are still before courts in Nigeria and there are no plans to vacate those charges. Moreover, the former governor didn’t steal alone.
“There were accomplices and as recent as two weeks ago, some persons who allegedly assisted him to launder stolen funds were questioned by the Commission. EFCC is determined to bring all Ibori accomplices to book, no matter how long it takes.
“For now, the commission awaits the sentencing of Ibori and, more importantly, the repatriation of the funds stolen from the treasury of Delta State government.
“That will be some just reward to Nigerians for the efforts and resources that have been committed to the corruption and money laundering investigation and trial of Chief James Ibori.”
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