• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • NAHCON

      Renewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu…

      Mohammed Idris Malagi, Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation

      FG Reaffirms Non-Interference in ICPC, EFCC Operations

      ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Dangote Refinery Deploys 4,000 CNG Trucks, Promises 24,000 Jobs as Fuel…

      Renewed Hope in Central Banking

      Book Review: Renewed Hope in Central Banking – A Blueprint for…

      NAHCON

      Renewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu…

      NUPENG

      NUPENG Suspends Strike After Truce With FG, Labour, Oil Stakeholders

      Customs, Defence Bureau Unveil Airboat for Smuggling War

  • National
    • Dangote Refinery Deploys 4,000 CNG Trucks, Promises 24,000 Jobs as Fuel…

      Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB arrested by Nigerian security services

      Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Transfer to National Hospital

      Troops Repel Bandit Ambush in Katsina as Four Farmers Abducted in…

      Military Troops during operations

      Troops Recover Arms in Plateau, Intercept Drug-Laden Vehicle in Taraba

      Healing Nigeria: A Chronicle of Health Reforms

      Book Review: Is This the Cure? A Look into Healing Nigeria…

    • Government
      • Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, and Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. A. Abba Sheshe, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of KEDCO, Dr. Abubakar Shuaibu Jimeta

        Power Outage: Police Broker Peace Between AKTH, DisCos in Kano

        Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB arrested by Nigerian security services

        Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Transfer to National Hospital

        Doctors

        Resident Doctors Commences Indefinite Strike in FCT

        Diplomacy and Digital Innovation – Youth Insight

        Book Review: Reshaping Diplomacy Through Digital Innovation – A Gen-Z Outlook…

        NAHCON

        Renewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu…

  • Security
    • Troops Eliminate 2 ISWAP Senior Commanders, Other Terrorists in Borno

      SP Abimbola Adebisi

      IGP Appoints SP Adebisi as Lagos Police PRO

      Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB arrested by Nigerian security services

      Court Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Transfer to National Hospital

      Troops Foil Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Zamfara, Kebbi,…

      Troops Repel Bandit Ambush in Katsina as Four Farmers Abducted in…

  • Features
    • Healing Nigeria: A Chronicle of Health Reforms

      Book Review: Is This the Cure? A Look into Healing Nigeria…

      Diplomacy and Digital Innovation – Youth Insight

      Book Review: Reshaping Diplomacy Through Digital Innovation – A Gen-Z Outlook…

      Renewed Hope in Central Banking

      Book Review: Renewed Hope in Central Banking – A Blueprint for…

      Charlie Kirk

      Who Really Killed Charlie Kirk? By Femi Fani-Kayode

      Officers of NSCDC Mining Marshals

      Mining Marshals and the Fight for Nigeria’s Mineral Future By Zekeri…

  • State
    • Troops Eliminate 2 ISWAP Senior Commanders, Other Terrorists in Borno

      Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, and Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. A. Abba Sheshe, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of KEDCO, Dr. Abubakar Shuaibu Jimeta

      Power Outage: Police Broker Peace Between AKTH, DisCos in Kano

      SP Abimbola Adebisi

      IGP Appoints SP Adebisi as Lagos Police PRO

      Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi

      Bauchi Forum Condemns ATBU’s Plan to Close Faculties

      Doctors

      Resident Doctors Commences Indefinite Strike in FCT

  • Event
    • Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu

      UNIMAID appoints Prof. Mu’azu as Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Communication

      NIPR President Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Inducts 422 New Members, Urges Commitment to National Unity

      Baze University Management visits TETFUND, Showcases Tech-Driven Growth, National Impact

      PHOTOS: BUK Alumni Association Launches Digital Hub to Unite Global Graduates,…

      Founder Image Merchant Promotion Ltd, Yushau Shuaib, Nigeria Customs CG, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the IPRA representative during the 2024 GWA awards in Belgrade, Serbia

      Again, ​IPRA Shortlists Nigeria Customs, IMPR for Golden World Awards, Celebrates…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper

    Bar Ajulo Asks Prof. Itse Sagay to Resign as PACAC Chairman over Ibori’s Loot

    By
    Prnigeria
    -
    March 15, 2021
    Kayode Ajulo
    Kayode Ajulo

    Bar Ajulo Asks Prof. Itse Sagay to Resign as PACAC Chairman over Ibori’s Loot

    A foremost civil right lawyer and activist, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, has frowned at the Government of Delta State and some of its associates who have insistently been clamouring for release of the repatriated loots of the estwhile Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, to the State, citing legal history of the case and role played by the Government of Delta State during the court trial process of the embattled former Governor.

    Recall that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between the British Government and the Federal Executive Council alongside the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, on the repatriation of the looted fund totalling £4.2million allegedly laundered by Chief Ibori, which subsequently led to his conviction on a 10 count charges bordering on fraud and money-laundering by the United Kingdom in February, 2012, and the subsequent decision of the Federal Government to utilize the fund for the completion of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja – Kano expressway and the Lagos – Ibadan expressway had greeted torrents of reactions and diatribes from political pundits across party lines and constitutional legal minds.

    Some political experts and legal practitioners including concerned citizens, particularly some indigenes of Delta State have been clamouring for the return of the looted funds to the coffers of Delta State Government, as was done in Plateau and Bayelsa State, but the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Malami, had argued that the offences for which James Ibori were charged were Federal offences and hence, the Federal Government is the victim of the crime.

    Ajulo said he is compelled as a Counsel and a front row participant who was privy to the trajectory and sequence of the Ibori’s case to make is stand known on the case to set the records straight and enlighten the general public.

    The Abuja based lawyer said that his clients who were the Patriotic Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholder forum under the leadership of an elder Statesman, Ch. Edwin Clark, OFR, had at a time during Ibori’s administration petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on several illegal activities of former Governor and his cohorts among which was his allegedly use of Appropriation Bill to siphon State funds of about 1Billion Dollars (159Billion Naira), equivalent to 500 Billion at present day, and other underhand dealings of some Shares by the former Delta State Governor. He alleged that the then EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had intentionally refused to investigate James Ibori, claiming his “hands were tied”.

    “Being resolute on the conviction to ensure that justice was meted out against James Ibori who had illicitly enriched himself with the commonwealth of the people of Delta State, we proceeded to the Federal High Court for an Order of Mandamus to compel the EFCC to prosecute James Ibori and others.

    “It is interesting to recall that the case went through several courts in Abuja, Kaduna and Asaba before it was finally resolved in the United Kingdom. I was present throughout the proceeding till he was convicted and the proceeds of crime were recovered from him, and It was even in the course of this I started my Doctoral research in the UK.

    Some emminent Nigerians like Chief Ogbetuor, Chief Sunday Iwaya, Chief Brume, Chief Godwin Oberabor, Albert Okumagba, Elder Orubebe among many others I cannot recall also committed themselves to this course while only Elder Godsday Orubebe dramatically withdrew when he was nominated as a Federal Minister. Also, other patriotic Nigerian like Allen Agbaka among others, inspired by Femi Falana, SAN and some Civil Society groups approached the Court to ensure that the end of justice was done in the case.” Ajulo said.

    The former National Secretary of the Labour party said that what is more crucial and fundamental about the case are the facts which culminated in the recovery of the looted funds and the nagging ironies attendant upon many of them. He noted that the disposition of the Delta State Government and some of its people during the trial of the former Governor did not support the energy at which the State is claiming ownership of the funds at the moment.

    Ajulo said “While I agree that the form of Government being practiced in Nigeria is federalism, however, what many of the agitators have failed to understand and which has made the scenery appears like a flying object of unidentifiable origin and a burgeoning folklore of marginalization of the Delta people by the Federal Government was the belligerent attitudinal disposition of the Delta State Government at the time of the trial of James Ibori.

    As at the time of the trial of James Ibori, the Delta State Government with an unslackened enthusiasm had outrightly denied the looting of its purse by the ex-Governor and even questioned the “cooked up” charges against him. In fact, they had believed that lbori was a victim of political machination and regarded the period he spent in the penitentiary as a learning experience in the University of Life.”

    Read Also:

    • Troops Eliminate 2 ISWAP Senior Commanders, Other Terrorists in Borno
    • Dangote Refinery Deploys 4,000 CNG Trucks, Promises 24,000 Jobs as Fuel Queues End
    • Power Outage: Police Broker Peace Between AKTH, DisCos in Kano

    Ajulo, who stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja headed by Honourable Justice Kolawole, in 2016, had ordered that the Delta State Government should not benefit from a sister recovered funds consequent upon its failure to cooperate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, during Ibori’s trial, thereby permanently forfeiting the Ibori’s loot to the Federal Government, also said that history will not forget how the ex-Governor was greeted with funfair upon his release from prison. He said flock of supporters that visited his Oghara, Delta State residence to accord him a heroic welcome was a clear confirmation of the fact that the people of Delta State strongly believed his innocence.

    Ajulo, who also said there is no moral justification for Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), who has been advocating that the repartirared funds be released to the Delta State Government to still keep his present appointment, said Prof Sagay need to first resign his present appointment before expressing such political sentiments as if he’s taking another job from the Delta State Government.

    “Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) cannot be approbrating and reprobrating at the same time. He cannot be against corruption and still be defending this. The same Prof. Sagay who has been clamouring for the release of the looted funds to Delta State Government had strongly condemned the sentencing of James Ibori in the past as being inhumane, savage and malicious. If they had the wit to invent their own song, it should be that which would not put them in such an abject plight.

    “The chicken has come home to roost for Delta State and they must bear the consequences of their actions. The people of Delta State and their allies who had said they were not looking for money cannot suddenly claim ownership of the same. If the truth must be told, the people of Delta State need to purge themselves of their irremediable patent lies and hypocrisy.” Ajulo said.

    Ajulo, who quoted the legal perspective and implications to the case said that the UK Proceed of Crime Act makes provisions for the confiscation of proceeds of crime to the crown and it is regarded as funds belonging to her Majesty’s Government but the latest Memo between the United Kingdom and Federal Republic of Nigeria has altered that and awarded ownership to the Federal Government.

    He said “it suffices to draw attention to the provisions of the United Nation Convention Against Corruption which are very pungent in this discourse. Article 53 (c) of the Convention requires that a State Party contemplating confiscation enable their appropriate authorities to recognize the claim of another State Party to be a legitimate owner of property acquired through the commission of a Convention offence.

    “It therefore provides that State Parties to the convention must; take such measures as may be necessary to permit its courts or competent authorities, when having to decide on confiscation, to recognize another State Party’s claim as a legitimate owner of property acquired through the commission of an offence established in accordance with the Convention”

    Ajulo stated further that ” Article 57(1) provides that “Property confiscated by a State Party shall be disposed of, including by return to its prior legitimate owners by that State Party in accordance with the provisions of this convention and its domestic law.

    “Article 57(5) provides that “Where appropriate, States Parties may also give special consideration to concluding agreements or mutually acceptable arrangements, on a case-by case basis, for the final disposal of confiscated property”

    “From the foregoing, it implies that the procedure to be followed in the final disposal of confiscated property to a beneficiary state would be dependent on the peculiarity of each case.”

    The legal expert said that former Gov James Ibori’s assets that were confiscated in June 2013 include a house in Hampstead, North London, worth £2.2million Pounds; a property in Shaftesbury, Dorset, for £311,000 Pounds; a £3.2million mansion in Sandton, near Johannesburg, South Africa; a fleet of armoured Range Rover SUVs valued at £600,000 Pounds; a Bentley luxury Car costing £120,000 and a Mercedes Maybach purchased for €407,000 Euro that was shipped direct to his mansion in South Africa.

    He said that the pursuant to the provisions of the United Nation Convention Against Corruption, the United Kingdom, UK, had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the Nigerian Government to ensure that the funds were not re-looted and the Federal Government was made to undertake that a Civil Society Organization will monitor the refund of the looted funds.

    “It is important to recall that at the time of Ibori’s sentencing, the U.K. International Development Secretary issued a statement that: “We are committed to rooting out corruption wherever it is undermining development and will help bring perpetrators like Ibori to justice and return stolen funds to help the world’s poorest”

    “It suffices to also state that The Federal Government which represents all the constituent States of the Federation holds in trust and exercises the powers of the Federation for and on behalf of all the States. Moreso, it is well accepted that only Nation States are subjects of international law and the component States of a country are integral parts of the country. See the holding of Uwais JSC (as he then was) in the case of AG FEDERATION V. AG OF ABIA STATE & ORS (2001) LPELR-24862(SC).” Ajulo Stated.

    The civil right lawyer, however, urges the Federal Government to utilize the repatriated funds, if any, for the benefits of the people of Delta State and Nigeria at large with projects that benefit the entire citizenry without preferences.

    He opined that since Delta State Government is a continuum and an ally of past Governments in the State, the Federal Government should appoint true Delta State patriots led by Chief E. K. Clark, OFR. CON who had fought against corruption in the State as trustees of the utilization funds in Delta State if any to ensure proper accountability and transparency and to prevent the funds from being re-looted.

    By PRNigeria

    VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
    PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
    EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
    HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
    ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
    • TAGS
    • Itsey Sagay
    • Kayode Ajulo
    • PACAC
    Previous articlePHOTO: NAF Helicopters Kill Dozens ISWAP/Boko Haram Fighters in Damasak, Destroy 4 Guntrucks
    Next articleZamfara Police Redeploy Namoda DPO over Alleged Fraternity with Bandits
    Prnigeria
    Prnigeria
    http://www.PRNigeria.com

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and Nafisa Abdullah Aminu

    Global Winner Nafisa Visits Professor Isa Pantami

    Omoyele Sowore, Bayo Ononuga and Adeola Ajayi

    Sowore’s Provocation, Onanuga’s Plea and the DSS Overreach

    Police Nab ‘Obi of Lagos,’ Foil ₦1.5 Billion New Palace Fraud

    FACT-CHECK: Did Governor Uba Sani describe El-Rufai as “Godsent” who assisted him with various needs, including property acquisitions and even against Peter Obi?

    The Arrest of Ansaru Kingpins Mahmud Muhammad Usman aka Abu Bara’a, and Mahmud al-Nigeri aka Mallam Mamuda

    DSS Secures 15-Year Jail Term for Ansaru Leader Over Illegal Mining

    Mrs Diiarau Didi Esther Walson-Jack OON mni, SEC 30, 2008, the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

    Personnel Audit to End Guesswork in Civil Service Reforms – Walson-Jack

    Nigerian Army Rescues Abducted Major in Delta State

    AFIT graduates

    AFIT Produces 302 New Personnel to Boost Air Force Technical Capacity

    Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd)

    Marwa: The Tormentor of Untouchable Drug Lords By Yushau A. Shuaib

    Customs Recruitment: 286,697 Applicants to Sit for Online Test

    Senator Shehu Umar Buba

    Northern Youth Coalition Defends Senator Buba, Condemns Smear Campaigns

    AU, Nigeria Sign MoU to Bolster Counter-Terrorism Efforts

    Recent Posts

    • Troops Eliminate 2 ISWAP Senior Commanders, Other Terrorists in Borno
    • Dangote Refinery Deploys 4,000 CNG Trucks, Promises 24,000 Jobs as Fuel Queues End
    • Power Outage: Police Broker Peace Between AKTH, DisCos in Kano
    • IGP Appoints SP Adebisi as Lagos Police PRO
    • Bauchi Forum Condemns ATBU’s Plan to Close Faculties
    • Home
    • About
    • Adverts
    • Contact
    © 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
    Latest News
    Troops Eliminate 2 ISWAP Senior Commanders, Other Terrorists in BornoDangote Refinery Deploys 4,000 CNG Trucks, Promises 24,000 Jobs as Fuel Queues EndPower Outage: Police Broker Peace Between AKTH, DisCos in KanoIGP Appoints SP Adebisi as Lagos Police PROBauchi Forum Condemns ATBU's Plan to Close FacultiesCourt Rejects Nnamdi Kanu’s Request for Transfer to National HospitalResident Doctors Commences Indefinite Strike in FCTTroops Foil Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Zamfara, Kebbi, KatsinaTroops Repel Bandit Ambush in Katsina as Four Farmers Abducted in ZamfaraTroops Recover Arms in Plateau, Intercept Drug-Laden Vehicle in TarabaBook Review: Is This the Cure? A Look into Healing Nigeria By Hanniel NobohBook Review: Reshaping Diplomacy Through Digital Innovation – A Gen-Z Outlook By Bilkisu Ahmed ShekarauBook Review: Renewed Hope in Central Banking – A Blueprint for Nigeria’s Economic Future By Khadijah Lawan MuhammadRenewed Hope in Hajj Operations: NAHCON Records Milestone Achievements Under Tinubu AdministrationSHAKE-UP: FRSC Redeploys Senior Officers to Bolster Operations Nationwide
    X whatsapp