We have Not Declared James Ibori Wanted – EFCC Source

I AM NOT ON THE RUN - IBORI.......... PHOTO: FORMER DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, CHIEF JAMES IBORI.

San Francisco, March 29, (THEWILL) – Former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori is not being sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and has not been declared wanted officially or otherwise by the anti-graft agency, a top EFCC personnel told THEWILL in a conference call from Abuja on Monday night.

The source who asked not to be named said a Nigerian newspaper report that said the commission was seeking to interrogate Ibori on his involvement in an alleged use of 528 million units of Delta State government owned Oceanic Bank Plc shares as collateral to secure a loan for a private company with ties to him from Intercontinental Bank Plc, and subsequent disposal of the shares to offset the balance of the loan, was inaccurate.
Pressed further, the source acknowledged that the commission had received an initial petition on Ibori on the matter many months ago before another was filed some weeks ago, he said the commission was yet to conclude its investigations on the allegations hence could not have declared the former governor wanted.
"What I am telling you is the EFCC official position on the Ibori/Delta State shares petition. The newspaper report you mentioned is inaccurate. The commission has not invited Ibori for questioning, we have not written him any letter of invitation on the matter, if we had, you know I would tell you," the source said.
Further checks by THEWILL through sources close to the governor revealed that Ibori has been in Abuja since the weekend and up till the time of filing in this report today, overseeing his affairs from the nation’s capital. The EFCC is also headquartered in Abuja.
The former governor was highly criticized for his role in frustrating Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s ascension to the top of the Presidency. Ibori and Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva were arrowheads of the movement that worked in union with members of President Yar’Adua’s kitchen cabinet ‘cabal’ to ensure that Jonathan did not become Acting President. They were comfortable with maintaining the status quo until the ailing Yar’Adua resumed duties as President.
Recall the THEWILL broke the story that Ibori spearheaded the campaign to ensure that Yar’Adua was not removed from office on account of his ailment.
Ibori is known to be a major backer and financier of President Yar’Adua’s 2007 presidential campaign that eventually brought Yar’Adua to power.
There have been speculations that the Acting President may go after Ibori to punish him for his opposition. Our Presidency sources have consistently debunked talks that the Presidency may go after Ibori following his position. Pundits however believe Jonathan may use the latest allegation against Ibori as a political tool, to pay back Ibori.
THEWILL put a call through to the former governor on his cell phone to see if he had cutoff communication as claimed in the newspaper report. The governor was on the other end after a few seconds. We told him we were investigating a report on his alleged ‘disappearance’ and that he also cutoff communication following investigations by the EFCC into a petition against him by some Deltans including a former Minister of Information and PDP chieftain, Chief Edwin Clark.
"You called me and I am speaking to you now. Your number is even blocked and I took the call, please how have I cut off communication?," the former governor asked.
When asked to confirm his location, Ibori said, "I am still in Abuja."
Chief Ibori was a two-term governor of Delta State from 1999-2007 and was last quarter, acquitted in a highly contentious court ruling by a Federal High Court in Asaba, on multiple corruption and money laundering charges.
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