4th June, 2010
The trials of the sister and mistress of James Ibori, the former governor of Delta State who was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is generating a lot of interest in the United Kingdom with a group of activists calling on Nigerians in Europe to attend the sentencing of Ibori’s associates on Monday.“We call on all patriotic Nigerians resident in the UK (or even elsewhere) to make time in their calendar to attend the sentencing of Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo) at the Southwark Crown Court 8 on Monday 7 June 2010 at 2:00 p.m. prompt,†the Nigerian Liberty Forum (NLF) said in a statement signed by Kayode Ogundamisi, Zaynab Galadima, Ken- Eneduwa-George and Ms Abimbola Junaid.NLF said that the sentence is a success for the fight against corruption in Nigeria and the attentiveness of UK jurors willing to bring culprits to justice.“This week’s verdicts, which convicted Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo), are proof of the success of our relentless efforts to expose all the moves made by the former governor and members of the Umaru Yar’adua cabal to frustrate the trial. Thanks to the persistent effort of patriotic Nigerians, Ibori and his sponsors’ attempts to derail the trial in London became futile.
“But this week’s guilty verdicts reflect not only the positive impact of our diligent commitment to the cause of ridding Nigeria of corruption but also the attentiveness of UK jurors willing to bring culprits to justice. A small cabal of highly placed Nigerians has recklessly robbed Nigeria’s resources. These shameless and unconscionable robbers have not only raped the nation but also profoundly compromised its institutions and hounded some of its best hands into exile,†the group said.
—Simon Ateba