AGF SUCCUMBS, SET TO PROSECUTE IBORI

…WRITES EFCC FOR MORE DETAILS

Attorney General, Michael Aondoakaa

Following the embarrassment the corruption case against former Governor James Ibori of Delta State has created, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has directed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa to as a matter of urgency furnish the Metropolitan Police of London with details of corruption cases against Chief Ibori.

Subsequently, the AGF has written a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC requesting for all the details of the crimes allegedly committed by Governor Ibori while in office from 1999 to 2007.

In an attempt to shield Governor Ibori from prosecution in London, the AGF had issued a capricious letter declaring that the former Governor has not been indicted for any crime or is under investigation for any crime. The letter addressed to Ibori’s lawyers in London was part of the grand design to give cover to Ibori who is said to have contributed handsomely from state coffers to the Presidential campaign of President Yar’Adua. The appointment of the AGF was said to be at the instance of the former Governor.

See below for the AGF’S letter and the EFCC’s response:

The AGF letter, reads: "Re: Letter of Request from the Metropolitan Police (Re: James Onanefe Ibori, Christine Omatie, Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe POGOSON and Udoamaka Okoronkwo).

"I am in receipt of a letter dated 30th August, 2007 from the Fraud Prosecution Service, an arm of the London Metropolitan Police, requesting for my assistance in obtaining certain information, statements and documents in relation to a criminal investigation being conducted by its officers in respect of some Nigerians and corporate bodies, including but not limited to the persons mentioned above.

"In view of the urgency expressed in the letter under reference, may I request you to immediately and urgently furnish my office with the under mentioned details for onward transmission to the Metropolitan Police, in line with the pith and substance of the Treaty and Agreement concerning the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime and the Confiscation of the Proceeds of Crime of 1989 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland as well as the Memorandum of Understanding of September, 2003 between the two countries.

•A formal statement detailing out or fully outlining any criminal allegation against Mr. James Onanefe Ibori.

•All relevant documentary evidence obtained in the course of enquiries or investigation by the EFCC in respect (of) any such criminal allegation, and (iii) Details and particulars of banks accounts operated by James IBORI.

The Attorney-General urged the EFCC to treat as very urgent please," and assured its chairman his regards at all times.

Ribadu’s response, dated October 2, reads: "Re: Letter of Request from the Metropolitan Police (Re: James Onanefe Ibori, Christine Omatie, Ibori-Ibie, Adebimpe POGOSON and Udoamaka Okoronkwo)

"Your letter of September 28, 2007, refers, please.

"We would assemble the relevant documentary evidence requested and revert to you as soon as possible.

"Please accept the assurances of my kindest regard and esteem."