Why we picked up ibori – DSS
“Imagine that somebody who just finished a jail term in the United Kingdom capital of London for six and a half years was given that kind of rousing welcome. It shows that corruption is nothing to the people of Delta State. And it is unfortunate. With what eyes do you think we will be looked at by outside world with what happened in Oghara yesterday? Even if the people wanted to do so, Ibori himself should have avoided it. But the way it went, it means jailing him for being corrupt was persecution.”
Upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a British Airways flight from London, the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, was taken to the office of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he was questioned and released.
Explaining why he was picked up, the Director-General of the DSS, Lawal Daura said, “He met me for a short debriefing session and the way forward. We also met to welcome him back to his fatherland. We are also meeting soon to discuss issues of interest affecting the nation.’’
Meanwhile, Oghara, the hometown of the former governor, yesterday stood still for the home-coming of the man, fondly called the “Lion of Africa” by his people. Shops were closed, just as commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, and motorists went round the town in jubilation.
The fanfare in Oghara, however, was not considered as healthy for a nation working hard to stamp out corruption. One of the respondents who spoke to The DEFENDER said, “Imagine that somebody who just finished a jail term in the United Kingdom capital of London for six and a half years was given that kind of rousing welcome. It shows that corruption is nothing to the people of Delta State. And it is unfortunate. With what eyes do you think we will be looked at by outside world with what happened in Oghara yesterday? Even if the people wanted to do so, Ibori himself should have avoided it. But the way it went, it means jailing him for being corrupt was persecution.”
The embattled former governor arrived Nigeria on Saturday morning after serving four, out of a 13-year jail term in Britain for money laundering, amounting to $250million. He was sentenced in April, 2012 by the Southwark Crown Court, but was released in December 2016, following a court order. Several of his assets were confiscated after the conviction.
It was further gathered that Ibori immediately left for Oghara in Ethiope Local Government Area through the Benin Airport in Edo State. He arrived Benin on a chartered aircraft with registration number IZY 5N112Zy, with 10 passengers on board. He arrived Oghara at 2:30pm, leaving the mammoth crowd awaiting his arrival at the Osubi airstrip stranded. As early as 9am, the crowd had besieged Osubi airport to await the return of the former governor. But they were disappointed as he landed at the Benin airport as a result of alleged bad weather.
Ibori was driven to his hometown at about 3.30pm in a convoy led by his long- standing political aide and the commissioner for environment in Delta State, John Nani, accompanied by his family members, political associates and friends.
Speaking on the return of the former governor, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly and current chairman of Sapele Local Government Council, Chief Ejaife Odebala said, “The great leader is back and we are happy. The politics and permutations of Delta State will change as he knows how to satisfy people and make them happy.”
A former governorship aspirant in the state, Chief Sunny Onuesoke also said, “I am overwhelmed by the arrival of the doyen of Nigerian politics and Delta State in particular. He is one man who plays politics for the benefit of his people. And the best politicians in the world are those who play politics of development. His return to Delta State is of great interest to Deltans.’’
Also speaking, a former secretary to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Andy Asavwota said, “Ibori is the man on ground, whether here or in limbo. He carries everybody along without discrimination. He is just like Jesus Christ because he is a man who does not want anyone to suffer.”
A member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Alphonsus Ojo said, “I feel very elated because he is not just a former governor, but our maximum political leader. His arrival will bring lots of changes in our psyche and social integration. His arrival will bring unity to the politics of Delta State.”
Legislators who spoke to journalists in Oghara, including Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Chief Solomon Ighrakpata and Chief Denis Omovie, said the return of the former governor would redefine the politics of the state.
Musicians were also on ground to welcome him.
