Ownership of Ibori loot: Matters arising – Part 2
26 March 2021 |
3:07 am
Moreover, the principles of reparation – which includes restitution, repatriation, damages, etc – and the undoing of unjust enrichment as required of state parties by the UNCAC
Continued from yesterday
There is the argument that the Federal Government could rightly deny Delta State of the assets because the political leadership the law authorizes to speak for and on behalf of Delta State are silent or nonchalant about the matter. Truly, the administration of the erstwhile governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, did not only fail to assist but also worked against the EFCC during the investigations of Ibori’s conduct. It is equally alleged that there was a time the Delta State government declared that the State’s money was not missing. All these were possible because of the unholy alliance between godfather Ibori and his political beneficiaries. It is even suspected that such an alliance continues to this day. The summary of all these is that Delta State political leadership denied that Ibori committed any wrong or crime. In order to consistently maintain that storyline, the current political leadership is silent on the matter. Not even the fact that Ibori loot is on its way to Nigeria has moved it to action. The political leadership is sustaining such conspiracy of silence because it faces the moral or even legal dilemma of being perceived to be simultaneously approbating and reprobating: because it denied Ibori’s wrongdoing, it cannot subsequently recant and claim Ibori loot. Perhaps, it is because the Federal Government is well aware of such circumstances that it audaciously asserts ownership of the loot and declares its intention to channel it to the construction of Lagos-Ibadan road, Abuja-Kano road, and the second Niger Bridge at the expense of the ultimate victims in Delta State.
The attitude of Delta State political class is so sickening that we may conveniently assume it is compromised. If that is the case, how will the people of Delta State fare? Nature surely abhors a vacuum. Incidentally, it is on record that President Buhari-led Federal Government prides itself in standing on the moral high ground of integrity and accountability in the battle against corruption and asset recovery. Therefore, the least the government can do is to ensure the assets are deployed to develop the people of Delta State. I believe expending the assets on projects located in places outside Delta State amounts to re-looting Ibori loot or robbing Peter to pay Paul.
But if the Federal Government insists on having its way, I implore Delta State government to rise over and above self-interest, officially recognize that Ibori plundered the State treasury, and sue the Federal Government for the assets. Furthermore, it will be advantageous to intimate the UK government, the Global Forum on Assets Recovery (GFAR), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) of the grave injustice that is unfolding in the utilization of Ibori loot.
Concluded
Dr. Igbinedion is senior lecturer, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. He is also a consultant on anti-corruption models and asset recovery.
Related
Latest
49 mins ago
The Federal Government has donated farming equipment worth millions of naira to farmers to boost dry and wet season farming in Katsina State. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this known during the launch and distribution of farming items procured and donated to farmers by the state government. Kyari identified items…
1 hour ago
A legal luminary in Niger State, Barrister Mohammed Kudu Ndayako (SAN), has raised concerns over the proposal by the House of Representatives for the establishment of Supreme Courts across the country, noting that it would have a negative effect on the nation's justice system. Barrister Ndayako expressed his worries while speaking to journalists in his…
1 hour ago
The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) has resumed trucking out of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, after a one-week halt in operations. The refinery had abruptly stopped loading petrol a fortnight ago without providing any explanation, leaving many marketers stranded. According to sources, the Port Harcourt Refinery Depot was inactive last Thursday,…
1 hour ago
Popular Nigerian filmmaker and comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has voiced his frustration over the perceived lack of support from his male counterparts, despite his efforts in the entertainment industry. AY, who has carved a niche for himself in comedy and filmmaking, suggested that men are more inclined to uplift women than their…
1 hour ago
In a move aimed at repositioning the party in Rivers State, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has inaugurated a 5-man Caretaker Committee (CTC) to pilot the party's affairs for the next eight months. The inauguration ceremony, which took place in Port Harcourt, saw Nature Dumale Kieghe sworn in as the Acting State Chairman of PRP,…
1 hour ago
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a comprehensive public advisory on Lassa fever, warning that it remained a significant public health threat. Dr Jide Idris, NCDC’s Director General, revealed the concerning trend to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, urging Nigerians to adopt preventive measures as cases continue to rise during…
1 hour ago
Lagos State government has threatened to shut any motor parks not complying with the state's zero tolerance for noise pollution, reaffirming that it will enforce the law against noise pollution vigorously during this yuletide period. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this on Monday during a press briefing to warn…
1 hour ago
The Federal Government has successfully prosecuted 1,743 terrorism-related cases between 2017 and 2024, leading to 742 convictions, while 888 individuals were discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence or other reasons. Ninety-two cases remain adjourned. This information was disclosed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko, during a press briefing in…
1 hour ago
Africa is on the verge of a digital transformation, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in reshaping industries, improving public services, and enhancing everyday life. TeKnowledge, a leading technology services provider specialized in AI adoption and cybersecurity, is at the forefront of this movement, leveraging new tools to empower Nigerian businesses and the…
1 hour ago
A two-term member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Ojezele Osesua, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Osesua, representing Esan South-East Constituency, announced his defection on Monday in Benin at a news conference held at the APC state secretariat. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.