– Former Delta state governor James Ibori is set to face new charges of bribery from the federal government
– Ex-EFCC boss Nuhu Ribadu has expressed his readiness to testify against Ibori if the new charges were brought against him
The federal government is set to try former Delta state governor James Ibori over an alleged $15million bribe he gave to former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss Nuhu Ribadu.
Recall that Ribadu had accused Ibori of giving the money in 2007 in order to prevent the EFCC boss from starting a case against him.
“Ibori approached me with $15m to stop his investigation. The money was brought in sacks. I called my people because the money was in big bags, which two people could not carry and we deposited it in the CBN as evidence against him,” Ribadu had said in an affidavit.
When contacted about the latest report on the case, Ribadu said he was not aware that the office of the Attorney-general of the federation had listed him as a witness in the Ibori. He however said that he was ready to testify of called on.
“I am not aware. But if I am asked to testify, I will. But like I told you, nobody has contacted me,” Ribadu told The Punch.
Meanwhile, a source who is an expert on legal matters says attempt to prosecute Ibori by the federal government does not qualify to be called double jeopardy.
The source said:
Ibori’s alleged crimes are many. He was convicted on 10 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.
He can be charged with offering gratification to a public officer in order to refrain from acting in the exercise of his official duties regarding the investigation of the petition against him. This is not double jeopardy.
Recall that Ibori was released from a UK prison just about two days ago causing massive jubilation in Delta state, some parts of Nigeria and the UK.
