Date Published: 04/18/10

Halims Agoda, Delta Speaker provide cover for fugitive Ibori

James Ibori

 A member of the House of Representatives, Halims Agoda, and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Martins Okonta , made arrangements for ex Delta Governor, and fugitive, James Ibori to be moved out of the delta mainland, pointblanknews.com has learnt
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It was also learnt that the duo had good support from some former Ibori henchmen and some  officials of the Delta State Government..
Both men had at different fora took swipes at the EFCC for what they tagged 'witch hunt' of their mentor.  Our source disclosed that, Ibori, Agoda and Martins had met with one Daddy Mukoro and some other of his loyalists two weeks ago.  At that meeting, we learnt, Ibori had expressed worry at the close call he had with the EFCC at his residence on Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to our source, at that meeting, three options were put on the table. Surrender to the EFCC, try and get out of the country by road or move into the creeks. The last option was considered to be viable since, Ibori is on the EFCC watch list and that to give himself up would amount to suicide. Thet fear repatriation.

Pointblanknews.com leant that at the end of deliberation, it was decided that some cash was made available for Mukoro to put together a formidable team of AK 47 wielding militants who would be on guard 24 hours deep into the hinterland. 

But pointblanknews.com sources said the fugitive may be running out of options as all startegies by him to leave the country has been thwarted. According to our sources, " He has no where to run to. we know he is hiding in the creeks and being protected by some militants. But he is on a watchlist so has no where to run. In a few days he will be smoked out"

Ibori was declared wanted by the EFCC last week after he refused to honour an invitation by the anti graft commission. The invitation was sequel to a fresh allegations by the Delta Elders Forum that Ibori connered over N540million belonging to the delta people.

Ibori who had been very visible after he was dubiously aquited by Justice Awokulehim of the Federal High court Asaba of the 170 charges, suddenly went into hiding after the EFCC invitation. Shortly after some of his loyalists labelled the invitation witchhunt, but refused to address the issues. The Delta elders in a swift statement maintained that since the invitation has nothing to do with the 170 charges, he should come of hiding. From his hideout Ibori claimed he has an injunction from justice Ibrahim Buba  retraining the EFCC. He then sued the commission for libel.