EFCC Knew I Would Not Report To It On Saturday - Ibori

San Francisco, April 18, (THEWILL) – The embattled former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori on Sunday said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, knew he would not be honouring their invitation to submit himself for interrogation over his alleged role in the use and sale of millions of Delta State government owned Oceanic Bank Plc shares which were used to guarantee loans to Ascot, a private company linked to him.

According to a statement signed by his media aide, Tony Eluemunor, “Chief James Onanefe Ibori was surprised by enquiries from the news media over why he did not report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for EFCC was fully aware he would not report that Saturday.  

Ibori said that his legal counsel had written the EFCC over the matter, stating why he would not honour that invitation that day.

According to the statement, "Ibori’s counsel, Mr. J. B. Dauda wrote a letter dated Friday 16th April 18, 2010, and addressed to the Chairman of the EFCC, RE: YOUR REPLY TO OUR LETTER CONCERNING MR. JAMES IBORI; REPORT OF EFCC MANHUNT IN NIGERIAN DAILIES", where he adduced reasons that constrained Ibori from showing up.

The letter said, "Our client has to your knowledge and that of the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation filed an action seeking inter alia for enforcement of his fundamental Human rights to liberty, fair hearing and freedom of movement among others which comes up on Monday, 19th April 2010 before the Federal High Court, Asaba. Our humble advice is to tarry a while until the courts resolve the issues…

Any other step to the contrary or in enforcement of your purported letter of interview will amount to disrespect to the judicial process."

It also accused EFCC of making contradictory claims on how it invited Ibori; through a letter dated 22 March 2010 but which was delivered to Ibori’s Lagos home on 13th April, at 4.22pm hours after EFCC had declared him wanted.

The second claim was that EFCC invited Ibori by proxy, through staff of Delta State Government.

Accordingly, this "unwholesome contradictory position shows desperation to rope our client in under the guise of official criminal investigation," the letter said.

Continuing, the letter said, "Your assertion that we have presumed the reason for your alleged invitation of our client again contradicts your several press statements that you are reopening investigation into the Ascot-Wilbros Acquisition on the basis of a renewed petition by a group known as Delta Elders and Stakeholders Forum led by Chief E. K. Clark. You cannot deny that this matter has been investigated and falls under the matter under appeal at the Court of Appeal, Benin. However, if your position as you now claim is that the investigation is associated with other crimes, then under the 1999 Constitution, and the EFCC Act, you are mandated to disclose the reason why you are inviting him into your office which has a notorious reputation for depriving Nigerians of their liberty beyond the time frame permitted by the law."

Nevertheless, THEWILL checks showed the EFCC has made apprehending Chief Ibori a top priority as its operatives have stormed Delta State to effect his arrest.

The whereabouts of the former governor remains unknown while his suit to restrain EFCC from arresting him resumes at the Federal High Court Asaba on this Monday.