The founding chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, told the Southwark Crown Court on Thursday that former Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State stole approximately half of the total revenue allocation that accrued to Delta state during his two terms in office.
Ribadu made the mind-boggling revelations when he testified about his involvement in the investigation of Mr. James Ibori who is serving a 13-year jail sentence in the UK.
In his gripping testimony, Ribadu detailed how Ibori gave him $19million bribe to drop the case against him. He said Ibori brought the bribe in large sacks of cash to the Abuja home of Andy Uba.
Ribadu told the UK court that he took possession of the cash produced by Mr. Ibori, and then deposited it at the Central Bank of Nigeria as evidence. He added that the rogue former governor, believing that he had accepted the bribe, kept bugging him to provide him with a letter declaring him free of corruption.
For the first time ever, the former EFCC boss also produced photos of the sacks of cash given to him by the former governor.
Mr. Ribadu told the court that EFCC investigations established that Mr. Ibori must have stolen at least $500 million, representing 50% of the revenue that accrued to the state in the eight years that the former governor was in charge of Delta State.
He further told the British court that EFCC operatives arrested Ibori after a dramatic chase on the streets of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Mr. Ribadu also gave a fascinating account of how he was summarily removed from office five days after he arrested Ibori in Abuja. He also told the court about attempts made on his life by people linked to the former governor as well as the then Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, who is the current chairman of the Police Service Commission – even though he did not mention Mr. Okiro by name.
He disclosed that Ibori was the most powerful influence on the government of late Nigerian president, Umaru Yar’Adua.
*wow!..I have this sneaky feeling Ibori will not spend all of the 13years in jail,..Ribadu thank you for telling it as it is,I hope you told it ALL.
SDK I don't think the he is going to be there for 13years. He was sentenced to 13years but it seems the sentence for each count charge will run concurrently. I heard 8 years, unless I'm wrong. It's the same Ibori that was found NOT GUILTY on over 50 count charges in Nigeria when $500million, under his watch, couldn't be accounted for. Judicial system here is finished. At least Ribadu gave his testimony in a credible judiciary; a testimony that would obviously have been over-debated over here and possibly disregarded later on. Or, maybe Ibori would've been granted state pardon like Alameiyesegha, after walking free for years. Kudos to Ribadu.
ReplyDeleteThieves!!!!
ReplyDeleteScapegoat things. So Ibori is the only looter in the country abi?
ReplyDeleteSo where is the money he gave you? You can at least give it to ASUU so this kids can go back to school.
*okada take me to GAY TALK*
Yet they celebrated a thief like a king on his bday. Shame on all of you
ReplyDeleteIbori d thief,u syphoned d whole money that is meant for one whole state(abt 3 million pples) but God don catch am.not only him so many of them. If in nigeria,he will b walking freely now.God is watching all of una thief thief politician.
ReplyDeleteNigeria is just one big joke! Now the international community is doing the work our own leaders wont do, what a shame. May the same fate meet all those have looted and paid to conceal their deeds.
ReplyDelete@Stella Asemota, God bless my sister. Fools. Where is the money nah, Cannery Ribadu? The money don fly. At least lets use the money to pay Asuu. Where is Abacha's loot too? Ok, it has been divided amongst who? So who is a bigger thief? Please dont tell me nonsense. Foolish fools. We are not stupid.
ReplyDeletethis stella asemota you are so dull. did u read the story at all?
ReplyDeleteWho is fooling who.where is the money they have collected from Abacha and Alhamesia
ReplyDeletePardon me for spelling.
Ibori get mind oooo. How can one man steal so much? Niger delta people ehn...... that's how Born again Cecilia Ibru stole enough for one nation and destroyed prople's destinies. Alamieseigha did hus own. Good luck and Patience are doing their own. God is watching you all Niger delta politicians.
ReplyDeleteAnon # 8,
ReplyDelete* E -slapping *
You dey crase?
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ReplyDeleteNigeria is one country entangled in an overpowering web of corruptuion and destructive greed.
ReplyDeleteWhen one man steals about half of an entire state allocation for two years, that isn't just greed but a destructive one.
Nigerians are the reason why Nigeria will not make meaningful progress. I believe there are people who dont want this country liberated as that will cut them off from the pot of corruption where they feed fat.
This same Ibori was celebrated in absentia on his birthday elaborately. The turn out of Chiefs and gaily dressed men was astonishing. And to think the life of a man who refused to be bribed in the course of his duty was threatened.... I wonder what the future holds for the country.
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The biggest thieves are celebrated in Nigeria. E. G Bode George. Dem even cut aso ebi when he was releases. I was stuck in ikoyi traffic for over 1 hour cos of praise singer hailing Bode George with mighty curses coming out of my blessed mouth. We need people like Ribadu in this failed country.
Delete@Stella asemota, little wonder ure still taking Okada around! Scapegoat? Or what?... Don't you know that if a thief is caught, we have a one more less thief in the society! Others? Judgment will catch up with them soon. And your gay thing, I wish you well!
ReplyDeleteMay justice prevail!
ReplyDelete