Ibori Gets Another EFCC Letter, Says We Are In Court To Challenge Investigation, Warrant

PHOTO: FORMER GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, CHIEF JAMES ONANEFE IBORI AND EFCC CHAIRMAN, MRS. FARIDA WAZIRI.

San Francisco April 13, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today delivered a letter of invitation to the Lagos address of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori after formally declaring him wanted a few hours earlier for failing to honour the commission’s invitation to its office for interrogation on the alleged use and sale of Delta State government’s Oceanic Bank shares as a collateral to obtain a loan from Intercontinental Bank Plc for Ascot, a private company with ties to him.

The commission had in its statement declaring Ibori wanted said, “letters of invitation have been sent to his known addresses in Lagos and Abuja while a court warrant has equally been obtained for his arrest,” but Ibori countered in a press statement immediately saying the commission lied adding that he did not receive any letter.

The letter delivered today at 4.30pm WAT was dated March 22, 2010 and signed by Zubairu Muazu of the Lagos office. The anti-graft agency wants Ibori at its Abuja office on April 17, 2010 at 10.30 am.

THEWILL called EFCC spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi to explain why the commission suddenly declared Ibori wanted knowing fully well that the commission specifically asked him to come forward on April 17, a few days away.

Mr. Babafemi in his explanation insisted that the commission sent out letters of invitation to the former governor’s addresses in Abuja and Lagos on March 22, 2010 and urged him to report for questioning on March 23, 2010, which Ibori allegedly ignored. Pressed on why the commission was delivering a letter dated March 22, 2010 today, he said he could not confirm whether the Lagos office sent another one today but insisted that the commission wants to interrogate Ibori as a matter of urgency.

However, Chief Ibori while responding to a question on when he would visit the commission said he would not be honouring the invitation adding that he has filed a suit to challenge his warrant of arrest and the actual investigation.

Please see attachment to the right of your screen for the EFCC letter, Ibori's Press statement and Ibori's lawyer's petition to the AGF and the EFCC.