Leave Ibori Alone – Oghara Descendants Tell EFCC

PHOTO: CHIEF JAMES ONANEFE IBORI.

ABUJA, April 15, (THEWILL) - As the manhunt for Chief James Ibori by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) heightens, Oghara sons and daughters in Ethiope West Local Government and the generality of Urhobo nation have called on the anti-graft agency to leave their son alone claiming the move was politically motivated.

In a statement made available to THEWILL in Abuja and signed by the President of Urhobo National Congress (ONC) Sir Solomon Ejase-Tobrise Udele and Secretary, Anthony Omene, the group said they have noted the unfolding drama in the past few days wherein, their illustrious son, Chief James Onanefe Ibori is being witch hunted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which has confirmed the alarm raised last week that Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, an Ijaw man, is using his closeness to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan and his kinsman, to harass, intimidate and victimize our son.

Udele was a former Chief Security Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the former governor.

"We are aware that Ibori’s counsel, Mr. J. B. Dauda (SAN) wrote a petition to both the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Chairman of EFCC, dated Monday 12th April, 2010, (and this was reported in some national and internet publications of 13th April 2010) over the unsubstantiated media reports of the past two weeks that Ibori had been on the run from the EFCC. Also, it is on record that Ibori has instituted a suit against the EFCC over this same issue," the statement read in part.

The ONC further noted that immediately after EFCC received Ibori’s petition and also learnt that Ibori had filed a suit against the agency in court, it applied its uncivilized approach and rushed to the news media with the malicious falsehood that the agency had invited Ibori for questioning.

They alleged that the action was simply political because the nation is approaching another election year and Chief E. K. Clark and his new found love are aware of Ibori’s political muzzle and great influence, hence the plan to scuttle his political machinery that has been deployed in Delta state.

They further alleged that instead of facing Chief Ibori in the political turf, E. K. Clark and his pay masters are resorting to old tricks of character assassination, EFCC harassment, and other dubious exercises in witch hunting which Nigerians and international community have roundly decried, insisting on electoral reforms.

The ONC also stated that it was public knowledge that the EFCC on behalf of the Attorney-General vigorously investigated every aspect of our son’s tenure as Governor of Delta State and failed to find any crime committed including allegations of conspiracy, official corruption, diversion and misappropriation of public funds, stealing and money laundering for the period 29th May, 1999 to 29th May, 2007.

"We therefore condemn the actions of the EFCC as we consider it a direct affront on Oghara people both at home and in Diaspora as well as the entire Urhobo nation at large. Chief Ibori has been in the country and not in hiding. His house addresses are well known and we wonder why EFCC would turn round to claim that he is a wanted man simply because he took legal steps to check the excesses of Chief E. K. Clark, his paymaster and the EFCC," the statement added.

"We believe in the rule of law but we abhor the slaughter of a perceived political enemy on the slaughter slab of the rule of law orchestrated by men who have sold their conscience to the wild spiritual beast. It is instructive that the action of the agency is contrary to the grand norm of the land and an unpardonable infringement of Chief Ibori’s fundamental rights," it said.