By James Uwem
ABUJA — IJAW national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, accused the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondookaa, SAN, of plotting to free the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, from the corruption charges leveled against him in a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State.
In a protest letter to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Kutigi and made available to Vanguard, Chief Clark also appealed to the Chief Justice to replace the trial Judge in the case, Justice Awokulehin, in the interest of justice and fair play.
The letter read in part “with reference to your Lordship’s query letter of 21st October to Justice Awokulehin on ‘gross misconduct’ for writing directly to a Judge in London in respect of the case of FRN Vs James Ibori and Anor without preference to the hierarchy of the judiciary.
“I humbly submit that it will not be in the interest of justice and fair play for the same Judge who is yet to answer his query on gross misconduct, to go on and preside over a case in which he is being seen to have already taken side. In that regard, Justice Awokulehin is no longer competent to adjudicate on the matter, therefore he should be restrained from continuing with the case”. Clark stated
Clark faulted the decision to create the Asaba Division of the Federal High Court for the purpose of trying Ibori. He said the move is a game plan by the Attorney-General, Mr. Aondoakaa to free Ibori in the criminal charges leveled against him.
“I further submit to my Honourable chief justice that the circumstance surrounding the creation of Asaba Division of the Federal High Court and the appointments of the trial Judge are of great concern to our people whose property were looted by the accused, Chief James Ibori .
“My lord, our fear is that justice will not be done if the same judge continues to adjudicate on the matter, because despite the judgment of the Kaduna Court of appeal, the trial of some governors is still taking place outside their state.
“My Lord, the purpose of this protest letter is to kindly appeal to you to halt the trial in Asaba and cause the transfer of Justice Awokulehin whose integrity and honour is already in doubt,” he said.
The 15 million dollars deposited by Ribadu with the CBN, money given to him as bribe money by James Onanefe Ibori, it assumed you are shielding James Onanefe Ibori for reasons best known to you. Mr Yar’adua return the money to Delta state and all the accrued interest. Mr. President you must now order, the AGF to commence the prosecution of James Onanefe Ibori immediately. Mr. President are your hands not clean, is that, why you and the AGF are protecting James Onanefe Ibori? Mr. President was the looted money used in your election or rather selection in 2007? Mr. President is this the lacuna?
Mr President you and your AGF are now insulting the poeple of Delta State. Mr. President if it is the money of Delta state, you should retun the money and interest to Delta state immediately and let the law take its course and punish the culprits. This can not continue,enough is enough.
Those supporting James Onanefe Ibori how can you explain this.
What is really the problem in Nigeria? What is the President doing? What are the authorities doing? These things are becoming childish and childlike.Mr Yar’Adua, AGF Michael, Nigeria is now a laughing stock in the eyes of the world. What is the 15 Million dollars for and how did James Ibori get the money he gave to Ribadu, which we all know now is in the CBN as confirm by the Chairperson of the EFCC mrs Waziri? Is it the money of Delta state and if so who authurised the payment? Mr James Ibori should have his day in court and you the President and your AGF or rather James Ibori’s AG, will not continue to protect James Ibori. Just imagine how many, roads, schools, hospitals that money and the accrued interests can build in the Delta state. Mr President you and your AGF are now insulting the poeple of Delta State. Mr. President if it is the money of Delta state, you should retun the money and interest to Delta state immediately and let the law take its course and punish the culprits. This can not continue,enough is enough.
if Edwin Clark is a lawyer, he should have respect for the bench no matter how corrupt he thinks the judge is…let him apply to join the case as a victim, after all it was delta’s state money that ibori allegedly stole, forum shopping and judge preferment is crude an unacceptable Clark knows quite well, if he is a lawyer, that he cannot get a judge changed by just shouting on the pages of newspapers…let him follow due process if he has proofs….and stop behaving like an illiterate…
The trial of Ibori is a blackmail!!!, open your eyes if you are from the South-South. This has been going on against the Oil rich states governors of the South-South for a long time. The trail of Ibori will compel the present Delta State Governor to ditch out money for Abuja big boys and 2010 election and that will be the end of the case. Remember what happen to Alams when he refuse to support OBJ third term. All the monies allocated to region find its way back to powerful politicians in Abuju through these tactics. How many other state governors are on trial.
Those sppters of ibori, uduaghan and the rest looters of our nation should pray God for 4giveness. I know one great day is already at hand that all sppters of evil and thier godfathers cannot escape this great revolution that is coming.