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More Troubles For Ibori *Delta Elders Say He Stole N169b, Not N9b. *Revives case Against Ibori At Appeal Court
Idowu Samuel
Former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori is in for greater trouble even as he is currently facing a trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)a 103 count charge on money laundering and looting of the Delta state treasury.
Ibori’s fresh problem is stemming from a resolve by the Delta State Elders led by Chief Edwin Clerk to seek the leave of the Court in directing the EFCC to investigate him on his alleged misappropriation of the sum of N169billion during his reign as governor.
TO this effect the Elders had resolved to resume their pending case at the court of Appeal in Abuja to compel the anti-graft commission to investigate and prosecute the former governor on alleged misappropriation of the huge sum.
Ibori was arrested by the EFCC official in Abuja last Wednesday and subsequently arraigned before a Kaduna High court with a 103 count charge as it established before the court that the former governor only misappropriated the sum of N9 billion.
A counsel to the Delta State Elders, Barrister Kayode Ajulo disclosed to Sunday Tribune that his clients would not relent in calling for prosecution of Ibori on the allegations leveled against him until they achieve their aim.
The lawyer said the elders are insisting that their petition before the Appeal court is to detect the where about of the sum of N169billion, retrieve it and them make Ibori face the music for his alleged misdeed.
He said, “The entire 103 count charge presently against Ibori is merely N9billion, whereas my client is insisting that this man should be made to account for over N169billion. It is simple arithmetic and you don’t need a professor like Chike Obi to tell you that the sum of N9billion is a far cry from N196billion
“What the EFCC is doing is like accusing a man of stealing 10 whales and you now turn around to accuse him of Stealing 2 fingerlings
“Our appeal in the Court of Appeal is to compel Ibori and those who wittingly or unwittingly connected to the reported looting of the treasury of Delta state to be brought to book and face the music if only to serve as a deterrent to others”
Ajulo said the best way the federal government could lend credence to its clamour for observance of Rule of Law in Nigeria is by ensuring the proper investigations of all allegations of money laundering and looting of treasury against Ibori and ensure his prosecution if he was found guilty.
The Delta State Elders had proceeded to the Appeal court in their quest to have Ibori investigated following an injunction obtained by the former governor form an Abuja High court which said the EFCC does not have the jurisdiction to investigate him.
The case against Ibori was initially filed by three persons representing the Delta State elders. They are Elder Godsday Orubebe, chief Ogbetuor and chief S A Iyawa. Meanwhile, Orubebe who has now become a minister had earlier withdrawn from the case at the Appeal Court.
The eleders in Delta still pursuing the case include Chief Edwin Clark, Seanator Fred Brume, Senator David Dafinone, Chief G Obielum, Chief Azuka Osakwe, Dr. M Oberabor, Wing Commander Biappir (rtd) Chief David Preye Chief Mrs. Bamuza Mutu, Chief Jibunor, Chief Albert Okumagba and others.
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