Former Governor of Delta state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori who has been in prison custody in Kaduna since Monday 17, December, is said to be adjusting to prison life. The Controller of Prison, Kaduna Mr. Momoh Salau Momodu who disclosed this to P.M.News, further revealed that the prison authorities are doing everything possible to ensure that he was comfortable until he is taken to court again on 11 January, 2008.
Although the Controller did not tell our correspondent the kind of comfort provided for Ibori, information from prison sources revealed that he has been complaining about the poor state of facilities at the executive prison lodge.
It was also gathered that a new air conditioner, mattress, refrigerator and other facilities have been provided in his prison apartment.
While at the prison, P.M.News observed that members of his family, friends, former aides, lawyers, some members of Delta State House of Assembly, were at the prison to see Ibori.
Even the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legal adviser Mark Jacob, Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Idi Farouk and other party members were also there.
Ibori’s wife, who frowned at the arrest and arraignment of her husband with his mistress, Udoamaka Okonronkwo, had also visited her embattled husband last Thursday at the prison.
Speaking to our Correspondent, one of Ibori’s aides, who pleaded anonymity, expressed displeasure over the decision of the judge, Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, to reject the bail application by counsel to Ibori.
He pointed out that there was more to the case than people are made to see.
Stressing, “We cannot understand why a former governor and patriotic Nigerian of the person of Chief Ibori should be refused bail,” he said.
He also assured that the people of Delta State will not let Ibori down during this trying moment.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
EFCC CHARGES AGAINST IBORI (1)
Our Case Against Ibori – EFCC
12.14.2007
COUNT 1: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 1st March, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) to your personal account at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 2: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 10th November, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) to your personal account at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 3: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 1st March, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) to your personal Account at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 4: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 2nd October 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N60,000,000.00 (Sixty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 5: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 28th August, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N90,000,000.00 (Ninety Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 6: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 24th July, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N42,000,000.00 (Forty-Two Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2003.
COUNT 7: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 28th June, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N4,900,000.00 (Four Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 8: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 4th June, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N90,500,000.00 (Ninety Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 9: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 10th December, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N30,150,000.00 (Thirty Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 10: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 28th April, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N14,989,000.00 (Fourteen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 11: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 2nd January, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N22,000,000.00 (Twenty-Two Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 12: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 17th May, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 13: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 6th May, 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 14: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 29th January, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 15: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 29th July 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,567,000.00 (Five Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 16: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 7th June 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N2,877,400.00 (Two Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy “Seven Thousand, Four Hundred Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 17: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 6th April 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N3,203,940.00 (Three Million, Two Hundred and Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 18: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 7th April, 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,985,000.00 (Five Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 19: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 21st June 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 20: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 3rd February, 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N6,000,000.00 (Six Million Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 21: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 29th August 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N14,000,000.00 (Fourteen Million Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 22: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 19th September, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with CHARTERHOUSE PROJECT AND INVESTMENT LIMITED and ADEBIMPE POGOSON to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds of the Delta State Government and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 23: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 7th August, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 24: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 25: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N11,000,000.00 (Eleven Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 26: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 27: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 28: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 29: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 30: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 31: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 9th February, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 32: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 33: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 7th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 34: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 35: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 36: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 37: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 14th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N2,800,000.00 (Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 38: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 9th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of s which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 39: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 9th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 40: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 8th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 41: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 14th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 42: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 43: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 13th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N4,650,000.00 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
12.14.2007
COUNT 1: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 1st March, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) to your personal account at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 2: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 10th November, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) to your personal account at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 3: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 1st March, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) to your personal Account at Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 4: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 2nd October 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N60,000,000.00 (Sixty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 5: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 28th August, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N90,000,000.00 (Ninety Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 6: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 24th July, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N42,000,000.00 (Forty-Two Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act 2003.
COUNT 7: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 28th June, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N4,900,000.00 (Four Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of a crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 8: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 4th June, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N90,500,000.00 (Ninety Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 9: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 10th December, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N30,150,000.00 (Thirty Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 10: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 28th April, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N14,989,000.00 (Fourteen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 11: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 2nd January, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N22,000,000.00 (Twenty-Two Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 12: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 17th May, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 13: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 6th May, 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 14: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 29th January, 2004 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did procure the PRIME CHAMBERS owned by PROFESSOR AGBE UTUAMA to retain in its account, the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 15: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 29th July 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,567,000.00 (Five Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 16: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 7th June 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N2,877,400.00 (Two Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy “Seven Thousand, Four Hundred Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 17: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 6th April 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N3,203,940.00 (Three Million, Two Hundred and Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 18: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 7th April, 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,985,000.00 (Five Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 19: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 21st June 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 20: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 3rd February, 2005 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N6,000,000.00 (Six Million Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 21: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 29th August 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did transfer the sum of N14,000,000.00 (Fourteen Million Naira) to Silhouette Travels and Tours Limited which sum formed part of the money illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 22: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI on or about 19th September, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with CHARTERHOUSE PROJECT AND INVESTMENT LIMITED and ADEBIMPE POGOSON to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds of the Delta State Government and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003.
COUNT 23: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 7th August, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 24: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N7,000,000.00 (Seven Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 25: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N11,000,000.00 (Eleven Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 26: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 27: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 28: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 29: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 30: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 31: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 9th February, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 32: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 33: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 7th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 34: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 35: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 36: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 37: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 14th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N2,800,000.00 (Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 38: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 9th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of s which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 39: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 9th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 40: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 8th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 41: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 14th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 42: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 26th October, 2006 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
COUNT 43: That you MR. JAMES ONANEFE IBORI, MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and BAINENOX LIMITED on or about 13th February, 2007 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did collaborate with one another to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N4,650,000.00 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State Government to offset a loan granted by United Bank for Africa Plc in favour of BAINENOX LIMITED and for the benefit of MER ENGINEERING LIMITED and which sum you knew represented the proceed of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceed of the said crime and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Ibori, Fayose Remanded in Prison till January
Former governors of Delta and Ekiti states, Chief James Ibori and Mr. Ayo Fayose, have been ordered to be remanded in prison custody till January.
This means that the two former governors will spend Christmas and New Year in detention.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two ex-governors for alleged corruption and money laundering.
While the Federal High Court, Kaduna, which yesterday turned down the bail application by Ibori, ordered that the ex-governor be remanded in Kaduna Prisons till January 11, 2008 when his trial would resume; the Federal High Court in Lagos where Fayose was arraigned directed that the impeached Ekiti State governor be remanded in prison custody till January 10.
Ironically, the two former governors pleaded with the two courts to remand them in prison custody as opposed to EFCC's custody.
Ibori is being remanded in Kaduna Prisons while Fayose is the guest of Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos.
Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu of the Kaduna court, however, ordered accelerated hearing in respect of Ibori's trial.
Yesterday, some women who thronged the premises of the Kaduna court in solidarity with Ibori resorted to striping themselves half naked to protest his trial and the refusal of the court to grant the ex-governor bail.
Ibori was arraigned last Thursday on a 103 count-charge of money laundering and stealing amounting to about N9.4 billion.
Operatives of the EFCC drove Ibori to the Kaduna Prisons around 11.15 am yesterday where he was formally handed over to prison officials.
EFCC was the first to arrive the court yesterday at about 7.45 am along with Ibori and the second accused person, Ms. Uzoamaka Okoronkwo.
Shortly after taking records of counsel in court for the case by the Judge, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, sought to address the court.
He was immediately cut short by the trial Judge who wanted to know what application he (Jacobs) wanted to make.
Before Jacobs could reply, Justice Shuaibu said: "Before you make any application, I will not allow you to arrest my ruling, I am going ahead to read my ruling first before any other thing."
The judge then proceeded to read the ruling.
Justice Shuaibu held that the issue of bail was the prerogative of the judge, stressing that in exercising such discretion the critical issues to be considered were the nature of the offence committed, strength of the offence, likelihood of the accused making himself available for trial and the possibility of the accused interfering with investigations.
Giving the ruling that lasted about 15 minutes, Justice Shuaibu said: "Availability of the accused to stand trial has always been an important factor to be considered by the court. It is my view that same is a statement of fact, which shall ordinarily be made by deposition in an affidavit, likewise, the requirement for reliable surety on the unlikely event that the court is not disposed to granting bail for the accused on self recognition.
"In the light of the above and considering the surrounding circumstances of the case, the accused applicants have not placed before the court sufficient material upon which the court will exercise its favourable discretion in granting the accused persons bail pending trial.
"The oral application for bail in respect of the first and second accused applicants is hereby refused and in the circumstance, an accelerated trial in the case is herby ordered.”
Counsel to Ibori, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), who was the first to address the court after the ruling, said since the ruling was not explicit on where to remand Ibori, the court should order the former governor to be remanded in prison custody, preferably Kaduna Prisons since the trial was taking place in Kaduna.
He complained that EFCC was not disposed to allowing the accused access to his counsel, noting that, "EFCC took it upon itself to nominate which counsel of the defence team to see the accused."
He said the request became necessary in view of the fact that EFCC did not have the facilities to enable the accused persons prepare for their defence.
Daudu alleged that since the last ruling, which placed custody of the accused with the commission, Ibori had within three days been moved from EFCC's headquarters to their training school in Karu.
Jacobs expressed shock at the observations, regretting that it was wrong for the accused counsel to bring the complaint first before the court, without first letting him (Jacobs) know.
He insisted that the commission had the best facilities, which, he said, most of the former governors who had played guests to EFCC had publicly attested to.
Jacobs then told the court he had an application to make for an amended charge and would wish the trial to be stood down to accommodate the application.
Daudu also stated that he too wanted the case stood down to enable him file a motion for bail.
Justice Shuaibu reminded the lawyers that they all had a primary responsibility to assist the court discharge justice.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no application before the court," he said and subsequently adjourned the matter to January 11, 2008.
After a long running battle with EFCC and London Metropolitan police, the former governor was arrested by EFCC officials last Wednesday in Abuja.
In the charge sheet, the former governor was said to have used about 15 fictitious names to acquire shares in Afribank to the tune of about N2.77 billion.
Ibori was also accused of making cash payment in the sum of $15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Dollars) to bribe officials of the commission in order to influence their investigations on the former governor.
The women who stripped naked yesterday were among hundreds of people said to be from Delta State who besieged the court to show solidarity with the former governor over his travails.
The protesters initially carried placards, which had various inscriptions condemning Ibori's trial.
The placards among others read, "Release Ibori now, Killing Ibori Cannot Kill Resource Control, and Is this Another Plot to Reduce the Chances of South-south Voices."
But when the news filtered outside that the court had refused bail to Ibori, the women immediately turned wild, striping themselves off their blouses, leaving only their braziers alone, while some of them kept rolling on the ground and screaming on top of their voices.
The people who were believed to be Ibori's supporters had arrived the court premises located in the Kawo area of Kaduna State as early as 6.00 am, but were refused entry into the court proper by several hordes of police men who said they were acting on superior orders.
Also yesterday, there was palpable tension in Oghara, the hometown of the embattled former Delta State governor following the failure of the Kaduna court to grant him bail.
However, no incidence of violence was, however, reported despite the fact that several hundreds of people organised pockets of peaceful protests in parts of the state yesterday, at the time of filing this report last night, in connection with the latest development on the Ibori versus EFCC.
Nonetheless, there was heavy security presence especially on the Benin-Warri-Port Harcourt Expressway, apparently to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The deployment of more security personnel especially in relatively volatile Delta Central and Delta South may not be unconnected with threats of violence from various quarters, particularly by some militant groups, should Ibori be refused court bail yesterday.
Yesterday green leaves and placard-carrying protesters were mostly drawn from Effurun, Oghara, hometown of the embattled ex-governor and the largely Itsekiri axis.
The impeached Ekiti State governor was slammed with a 51-count charge of fraud, money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds totalling over N2billion at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Like his colleague, Ibori, the impeached Ekiti State governor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, after it was read to him in sequential order,
The former governor, who was brought to court at about 10.14 am in a Peugeot Expert Van, with registration number, BM759FKJ, accompanied by two Hilux Tayota buses with registration number EV105EKY and EV104EKY, was escorted by stern-looking security operatives from EFCC and Mobile police force.
Soon after he was ushered into the court, and proceedings started with the introduction of counsel, the charge was read to Fayose.
He pleaded not guilty to each of the charges.
After his plea was taken, his counsel, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN), applied orally for his bail, contending that it was normal for the court to hear and entertain oral application for bail and grant same.
He cited many authorities to back his argument.
But the presiding judge, Justice Tijani Abubakar, said in view of the issues of facts that were raised in the matter, the oral bail application could not sufficiently address the issues, hence there was the need to come properly, by filing the necessary bail application.
Consequently, the court noted that there was no application before it and adjourned till January 10, 2008 for the trial.
Counsel to EFCC had earlier sought to amend the charge filed against the accused persons which was granted by the court..
The earlier charge had the name of Goke Olatunji and Gbenga James alongside that of Fayose.
Counsel to Fayose thereafter asked that he (Fayose) be remanded in prison custody, which was not opposed by the EFCC.
Consequent upon this, the court ordered that Fayose be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos.
Briefing journalists on why he preferred his client to be remanded in prison custody as against EFCC custody, Ali said from experience, lawyers usually have access to their clients when they are in prison than when they are in EFCC custody.
With an application by EFCC, the court also withdrew the charge against two former aides, Goke Olatunji and Gbenga James, who were charged last year on the same charge, now preferred against Fayose.
THISDAY however, gathered that the two former aides are now prosecution witnesses, as their names were listed by EFCC as witnesses it intends to rely on in prosecuting Fayose.
In order to avoid being humiliated by the anti-graft agency, Fayose had last Friday submitted himself and was detained all through the weekend until yesterday when he was arraigned.
Speaking to newsmen who had laid siege in the commission's office, the former governor said that having not heard from the EFCC following a letter he wrote it, he on his own decided to appear before it.
He said: "I am here today to officially present myself to the EFCC, so that I will have the opportunity to defend myself of all the allegations against me. I volunteered myself to come here (EFCC). I had written the commission that I wanted to come, but got no reply, so I decided to come myself."
Former governors that have been arraigned in court by EFCC over alleged corrupt practices while in office included Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State, Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Ibori of Delta State who was arraigned last week in Kaduna.
This means that the two former governors will spend Christmas and New Year in detention.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two ex-governors for alleged corruption and money laundering.
While the Federal High Court, Kaduna, which yesterday turned down the bail application by Ibori, ordered that the ex-governor be remanded in Kaduna Prisons till January 11, 2008 when his trial would resume; the Federal High Court in Lagos where Fayose was arraigned directed that the impeached Ekiti State governor be remanded in prison custody till January 10.
Ironically, the two former governors pleaded with the two courts to remand them in prison custody as opposed to EFCC's custody.
Ibori is being remanded in Kaduna Prisons while Fayose is the guest of Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos.
Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu of the Kaduna court, however, ordered accelerated hearing in respect of Ibori's trial.
Yesterday, some women who thronged the premises of the Kaduna court in solidarity with Ibori resorted to striping themselves half naked to protest his trial and the refusal of the court to grant the ex-governor bail.
Ibori was arraigned last Thursday on a 103 count-charge of money laundering and stealing amounting to about N9.4 billion.
Operatives of the EFCC drove Ibori to the Kaduna Prisons around 11.15 am yesterday where he was formally handed over to prison officials.
EFCC was the first to arrive the court yesterday at about 7.45 am along with Ibori and the second accused person, Ms. Uzoamaka Okoronkwo.
Shortly after taking records of counsel in court for the case by the Judge, EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, sought to address the court.
He was immediately cut short by the trial Judge who wanted to know what application he (Jacobs) wanted to make.
Before Jacobs could reply, Justice Shuaibu said: "Before you make any application, I will not allow you to arrest my ruling, I am going ahead to read my ruling first before any other thing."
The judge then proceeded to read the ruling.
Justice Shuaibu held that the issue of bail was the prerogative of the judge, stressing that in exercising such discretion the critical issues to be considered were the nature of the offence committed, strength of the offence, likelihood of the accused making himself available for trial and the possibility of the accused interfering with investigations.
Giving the ruling that lasted about 15 minutes, Justice Shuaibu said: "Availability of the accused to stand trial has always been an important factor to be considered by the court. It is my view that same is a statement of fact, which shall ordinarily be made by deposition in an affidavit, likewise, the requirement for reliable surety on the unlikely event that the court is not disposed to granting bail for the accused on self recognition.
"In the light of the above and considering the surrounding circumstances of the case, the accused applicants have not placed before the court sufficient material upon which the court will exercise its favourable discretion in granting the accused persons bail pending trial.
"The oral application for bail in respect of the first and second accused applicants is hereby refused and in the circumstance, an accelerated trial in the case is herby ordered.”
Counsel to Ibori, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), who was the first to address the court after the ruling, said since the ruling was not explicit on where to remand Ibori, the court should order the former governor to be remanded in prison custody, preferably Kaduna Prisons since the trial was taking place in Kaduna.
He complained that EFCC was not disposed to allowing the accused access to his counsel, noting that, "EFCC took it upon itself to nominate which counsel of the defence team to see the accused."
He said the request became necessary in view of the fact that EFCC did not have the facilities to enable the accused persons prepare for their defence.
Daudu alleged that since the last ruling, which placed custody of the accused with the commission, Ibori had within three days been moved from EFCC's headquarters to their training school in Karu.
Jacobs expressed shock at the observations, regretting that it was wrong for the accused counsel to bring the complaint first before the court, without first letting him (Jacobs) know.
He insisted that the commission had the best facilities, which, he said, most of the former governors who had played guests to EFCC had publicly attested to.
Jacobs then told the court he had an application to make for an amended charge and would wish the trial to be stood down to accommodate the application.
Daudu also stated that he too wanted the case stood down to enable him file a motion for bail.
Justice Shuaibu reminded the lawyers that they all had a primary responsibility to assist the court discharge justice.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no application before the court," he said and subsequently adjourned the matter to January 11, 2008.
After a long running battle with EFCC and London Metropolitan police, the former governor was arrested by EFCC officials last Wednesday in Abuja.
In the charge sheet, the former governor was said to have used about 15 fictitious names to acquire shares in Afribank to the tune of about N2.77 billion.
Ibori was also accused of making cash payment in the sum of $15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Dollars) to bribe officials of the commission in order to influence their investigations on the former governor.
The women who stripped naked yesterday were among hundreds of people said to be from Delta State who besieged the court to show solidarity with the former governor over his travails.
The protesters initially carried placards, which had various inscriptions condemning Ibori's trial.
The placards among others read, "Release Ibori now, Killing Ibori Cannot Kill Resource Control, and Is this Another Plot to Reduce the Chances of South-south Voices."
But when the news filtered outside that the court had refused bail to Ibori, the women immediately turned wild, striping themselves off their blouses, leaving only their braziers alone, while some of them kept rolling on the ground and screaming on top of their voices.
The people who were believed to be Ibori's supporters had arrived the court premises located in the Kawo area of Kaduna State as early as 6.00 am, but were refused entry into the court proper by several hordes of police men who said they were acting on superior orders.
Also yesterday, there was palpable tension in Oghara, the hometown of the embattled former Delta State governor following the failure of the Kaduna court to grant him bail.
However, no incidence of violence was, however, reported despite the fact that several hundreds of people organised pockets of peaceful protests in parts of the state yesterday, at the time of filing this report last night, in connection with the latest development on the Ibori versus EFCC.
Nonetheless, there was heavy security presence especially on the Benin-Warri-Port Harcourt Expressway, apparently to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The deployment of more security personnel especially in relatively volatile Delta Central and Delta South may not be unconnected with threats of violence from various quarters, particularly by some militant groups, should Ibori be refused court bail yesterday.
Yesterday green leaves and placard-carrying protesters were mostly drawn from Effurun, Oghara, hometown of the embattled ex-governor and the largely Itsekiri axis.
The impeached Ekiti State governor was slammed with a 51-count charge of fraud, money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds totalling over N2billion at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Like his colleague, Ibori, the impeached Ekiti State governor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, after it was read to him in sequential order,
The former governor, who was brought to court at about 10.14 am in a Peugeot Expert Van, with registration number, BM759FKJ, accompanied by two Hilux Tayota buses with registration number EV105EKY and EV104EKY, was escorted by stern-looking security operatives from EFCC and Mobile police force.
Soon after he was ushered into the court, and proceedings started with the introduction of counsel, the charge was read to Fayose.
He pleaded not guilty to each of the charges.
After his plea was taken, his counsel, Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN), applied orally for his bail, contending that it was normal for the court to hear and entertain oral application for bail and grant same.
He cited many authorities to back his argument.
But the presiding judge, Justice Tijani Abubakar, said in view of the issues of facts that were raised in the matter, the oral bail application could not sufficiently address the issues, hence there was the need to come properly, by filing the necessary bail application.
Consequently, the court noted that there was no application before it and adjourned till January 10, 2008 for the trial.
Counsel to EFCC had earlier sought to amend the charge filed against the accused persons which was granted by the court..
The earlier charge had the name of Goke Olatunji and Gbenga James alongside that of Fayose.
Counsel to Fayose thereafter asked that he (Fayose) be remanded in prison custody, which was not opposed by the EFCC.
Consequent upon this, the court ordered that Fayose be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos.
Briefing journalists on why he preferred his client to be remanded in prison custody as against EFCC custody, Ali said from experience, lawyers usually have access to their clients when they are in prison than when they are in EFCC custody.
With an application by EFCC, the court also withdrew the charge against two former aides, Goke Olatunji and Gbenga James, who were charged last year on the same charge, now preferred against Fayose.
THISDAY however, gathered that the two former aides are now prosecution witnesses, as their names were listed by EFCC as witnesses it intends to rely on in prosecuting Fayose.
In order to avoid being humiliated by the anti-graft agency, Fayose had last Friday submitted himself and was detained all through the weekend until yesterday when he was arraigned.
Speaking to newsmen who had laid siege in the commission's office, the former governor said that having not heard from the EFCC following a letter he wrote it, he on his own decided to appear before it.
He said: "I am here today to officially present myself to the EFCC, so that I will have the opportunity to defend myself of all the allegations against me. I volunteered myself to come here (EFCC). I had written the commission that I wanted to come, but got no reply, so I decided to come myself."
Former governors that have been arraigned in court by EFCC over alleged corrupt practices while in office included Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State, Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Ibori of Delta State who was arraigned last week in Kaduna.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ibori Bribed EFCC With N1.8 Billion, 103-Count Charge Read In Court
Details of how former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, attempted to subvert justice by bribing EFCC officials with $15 million (about N1.8 billion) emerged this morning at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, where he is being tried for alleged money laundering.
Ibori and four others were this morning arraigned on a 103-count charge of money laundering and abuse of office.
The EFCC, in one of the charges, alleged that Ibori on 26 April, 2007 made a cash payment of N1.8 billion ($15m) to EFCC investigators in order to influence their investigation.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The EFCC also alleged that Ibori on 31 December, 2004, collaborated with Lipopo Nigeria Limited to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N280 million to buy Afribank shares in the names of fictitious persons.
Another charge accused him of collaborating with Kent to conceal the genuine origin of N220 million by using same to buy Afribank shares in the name of fictitious persons.
Ibori was also alleged to have transferred the sum of N5 billion from the account of the Delta State government to buy shares from Afribank with a fictitious company.
He was alleged to have also transferred N5 million to his personal account at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) illegally from the account of the Delta State government, “and which you knew represent the proceeds of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of crime”.
Another charge against him reads: “That you, James Onanefe Ibori on 10 November 2004, transferred N1 million to your personal account at GTB which forms part of the fund from the account of the Delta State government.”
The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, refused to grant him bail based on the submission of the EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, that he might jump bail.
Jacobs buttressed his argument with the fact that Ibori had been convicted twice in England for fraud related charges and that he might abscond if granted bail.
Even though Ibori’s counsel, Daudu, pleaded with the court to grant him bail, Justice Shuaibu declined to do so and ordered that he be remanded in EFCC custody until Monday, 17 December, when the court is expected to further consider his application for bail.
Security was tight at the premises of the court as armed anti-riot policemen frisked lawyers and judicial staff moving into the premises.
Despite the tight security, some protesting youths were seen with placards commending the EFCC for a job well done.
The inscriptions on some of the placards read: “ICPC, EFCC, CCB, Well Done’; ‘No Hiding place for corrupt leaders’; ‘With leaders like Ibori, Niger Delta Doesn’t need an enemy’; ‘No To Black Market Rule of Law’, etc.
Ibori was arrested yesterday by officials of EFCC at about 11 a.m. at his Asokoro residence in Abuja and taken to the EFCC office where he is currently being interrogated.
He was said to have escaped to the Kwara State government lodge in Abuja when he discovered the presence of EFCC officials around his house.
His arrest brought to an end the cat and mouse game between him and EFCC officials who have been trying to bring him to book to answer charges bordering on alleged financial impropriety while he was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.
The London Metropolitan Police had earlier arrested his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, while she was about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos.
The police said her arrest was “in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry.”
Ibori has been the subject of money laundering investigation in the UK, where his assets, worth N5 billion, have been frozen.
The investigating team of the Metropolitan Police has made several visits to Nigeria on the matter.
Also under arrest were some of Ibori’s associates, including Adebimpe Pogoson, described as Ibori’s special assistant, who is said to control a number of companies and bank accounts in Nigeria and several other countries; Christine Ibori-Ebie, James Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, said to be James Ibori’s banker.
Under probe are companies and properties said to belong to Ibori, such as Haleway Properties Ltd., Gibraltar; the property at 7, Westover Hill in the UK, valued at over 4 million pounds; the property at 42, Great Ground Street, Shaftsbury also in the UK and the company called Telston Quaye Ltd., (British Virgin Island).
Among allegations levelled against him were that he paid $20 million to Bombardier Inc. of Canada, an aircraft manufacturer, for the purpose of buying a plane.
Also being investigated is a London Barclays Bank account in the name of MER Engineering.
About 2.3 million pounds in deposits were traced to the account as payments by Chevron and NNPC, within three years.
Ibori and four others were this morning arraigned on a 103-count charge of money laundering and abuse of office.
The EFCC, in one of the charges, alleged that Ibori on 26 April, 2007 made a cash payment of N1.8 billion ($15m) to EFCC investigators in order to influence their investigation.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to and punishable under section 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
The EFCC also alleged that Ibori on 31 December, 2004, collaborated with Lipopo Nigeria Limited to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N280 million to buy Afribank shares in the names of fictitious persons.
Another charge accused him of collaborating with Kent to conceal the genuine origin of N220 million by using same to buy Afribank shares in the name of fictitious persons.
Ibori was also alleged to have transferred the sum of N5 billion from the account of the Delta State government to buy shares from Afribank with a fictitious company.
He was alleged to have also transferred N5 million to his personal account at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) illegally from the account of the Delta State government, “and which you knew represent the proceeds of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of crime”.
Another charge against him reads: “That you, James Onanefe Ibori on 10 November 2004, transferred N1 million to your personal account at GTB which forms part of the fund from the account of the Delta State government.”
The presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, refused to grant him bail based on the submission of the EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, that he might jump bail.
Jacobs buttressed his argument with the fact that Ibori had been convicted twice in England for fraud related charges and that he might abscond if granted bail.
Even though Ibori’s counsel, Daudu, pleaded with the court to grant him bail, Justice Shuaibu declined to do so and ordered that he be remanded in EFCC custody until Monday, 17 December, when the court is expected to further consider his application for bail.
Security was tight at the premises of the court as armed anti-riot policemen frisked lawyers and judicial staff moving into the premises.
Despite the tight security, some protesting youths were seen with placards commending the EFCC for a job well done.
The inscriptions on some of the placards read: “ICPC, EFCC, CCB, Well Done’; ‘No Hiding place for corrupt leaders’; ‘With leaders like Ibori, Niger Delta Doesn’t need an enemy’; ‘No To Black Market Rule of Law’, etc.
Ibori was arrested yesterday by officials of EFCC at about 11 a.m. at his Asokoro residence in Abuja and taken to the EFCC office where he is currently being interrogated.
He was said to have escaped to the Kwara State government lodge in Abuja when he discovered the presence of EFCC officials around his house.
His arrest brought to an end the cat and mouse game between him and EFCC officials who have been trying to bring him to book to answer charges bordering on alleged financial impropriety while he was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.
The London Metropolitan Police had earlier arrested his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, while she was about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos.
The police said her arrest was “in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry.”
Ibori has been the subject of money laundering investigation in the UK, where his assets, worth N5 billion, have been frozen.
The investigating team of the Metropolitan Police has made several visits to Nigeria on the matter.
Also under arrest were some of Ibori’s associates, including Adebimpe Pogoson, described as Ibori’s special assistant, who is said to control a number of companies and bank accounts in Nigeria and several other countries; Christine Ibori-Ebie, James Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, said to be James Ibori’s banker.
Under probe are companies and properties said to belong to Ibori, such as Haleway Properties Ltd., Gibraltar; the property at 7, Westover Hill in the UK, valued at over 4 million pounds; the property at 42, Great Ground Street, Shaftsbury also in the UK and the company called Telston Quaye Ltd., (British Virgin Island).
Among allegations levelled against him were that he paid $20 million to Bombardier Inc. of Canada, an aircraft manufacturer, for the purpose of buying a plane.
Also being investigated is a London Barclays Bank account in the name of MER Engineering.
About 2.3 million pounds in deposits were traced to the account as payments by Chevron and NNPC, within three years.
EFCC Hires US Firm to Source Funds
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has hired a consulting firm in the United States (US) to help it secure foreign aid.
The firm, KRL International, was hired on a month-to-month pro bono contract basis, according to records from the Justice Department.
KRL International is expected to help the EFCC source for funds by reaching out to non-governmental organisations in the country, US government officials, private donors, several think tanks and lawmakers.
The firm is believed to have secured the deal based on its relationship with the administration of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The firm's Managing Director, Riva Levinson, was quoted as saying that Nigerians were concerned about fighting corruption.
“It is something no longer imposed from the outside but is bubbling up from the population. It is an African concern not just a donor concern,” she declared.
Levinson who started her own company last year has worked for several African governments.
Reports say she would want Nigeria's anti-corruption drive replicated in other countries on the continent.
The EFCC headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu received international recognition following its successful arrest and prosecution of alleged corrupt persons in the country.
A creation of the Obasanjo's government, the agency received full support to carry out its mission. EFCC's effort was welcomed by the international community including foreign investors wary of doing business in Nigeria.
The country's battered image received a boost following the results the agency achieved. Nigerians also applauded EFCC.
In a Gallup opinion poll facilitated by former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in February 2007, 66 per cent of Nigerians said they had confidence in the agency.
It has however received bashing from critics who say it was used by Obasanjo to haunt political enemies.
The firm, KRL International, was hired on a month-to-month pro bono contract basis, according to records from the Justice Department.
KRL International is expected to help the EFCC source for funds by reaching out to non-governmental organisations in the country, US government officials, private donors, several think tanks and lawmakers.
The firm is believed to have secured the deal based on its relationship with the administration of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The firm's Managing Director, Riva Levinson, was quoted as saying that Nigerians were concerned about fighting corruption.
“It is something no longer imposed from the outside but is bubbling up from the population. It is an African concern not just a donor concern,” she declared.
Levinson who started her own company last year has worked for several African governments.
Reports say she would want Nigeria's anti-corruption drive replicated in other countries on the continent.
The EFCC headed by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu received international recognition following its successful arrest and prosecution of alleged corrupt persons in the country.
A creation of the Obasanjo's government, the agency received full support to carry out its mission. EFCC's effort was welcomed by the international community including foreign investors wary of doing business in Nigeria.
The country's battered image received a boost following the results the agency achieved. Nigerians also applauded EFCC.
In a Gallup opinion poll facilitated by former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in February 2007, 66 per cent of Nigerians said they had confidence in the agency.
It has however received bashing from critics who say it was used by Obasanjo to haunt political enemies.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Ibori Arrested After Bid To Escape
Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has been arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged missing funds belonging to the Delta State government. P.M.News gathered that Ibori was arrested this morning at about 11 a.m. at his Asokoro residence in Abuja and taken to the EFCC office where he is currently being interrogated.
He was said to have escaped to the Kwara State government lodge in Abuja when he discovered the presence of EFCC officials around his house.
His arrest brought to an end the cat and mouse game between him and EFCC officials who have been trying to bring him to book to answer charges bordering on alleged financial impropriety while he was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.
London’s Metropolitan Police had earlier arrested his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, while about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos.
The police said her arrest was “in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry.”
Ibori has been the subject of money laundering investigation in the UK, where his assets worth N5 billion have been frozen.
The investigation team of the Metropolitan Police has made several visits to Nigeria on the matter.
Also under arrest were some of Ibori’s associates, including Adebimpe Pogoson, described as Ibori’s special assistant, who is said to control a number of companies and bank accounts in Nigeria and third countries; Christine Ibori-Ebie, James Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, said to be James Ibori’s banker.
Under probe are companies and properties said to belong to the former Delta State Governor, such as Haleway Properties Ltd., Gibraltar, the property at 7, Westover Hill in the UK, valued at over 4 million pounds, the property at 42, Great Ground Street, Shaftsbury also in the UK and the company called Telston Quaye Ltd., (British Virgin Island).
Among allegations levelled against him were that he paid $20 million to Bombardier Inc. of Canada, an aircraft manufacturer, for the purpose of buying a plane.
Also being investigated is a London Barclays Bank account in the name of MER Engineering. About 2.3 million pounds in deposits were traced to the account as payments by Chevron and NNPC, within three years.
He was said to have escaped to the Kwara State government lodge in Abuja when he discovered the presence of EFCC officials around his house.
His arrest brought to an end the cat and mouse game between him and EFCC officials who have been trying to bring him to book to answer charges bordering on alleged financial impropriety while he was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.
London’s Metropolitan Police had earlier arrested his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, while about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos.
The police said her arrest was “in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry.”
Ibori has been the subject of money laundering investigation in the UK, where his assets worth N5 billion have been frozen.
The investigation team of the Metropolitan Police has made several visits to Nigeria on the matter.
Also under arrest were some of Ibori’s associates, including Adebimpe Pogoson, described as Ibori’s special assistant, who is said to control a number of companies and bank accounts in Nigeria and third countries; Christine Ibori-Ebie, James Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, said to be James Ibori’s banker.
Under probe are companies and properties said to belong to the former Delta State Governor, such as Haleway Properties Ltd., Gibraltar, the property at 7, Westover Hill in the UK, valued at over 4 million pounds, the property at 42, Great Ground Street, Shaftsbury also in the UK and the company called Telston Quaye Ltd., (British Virgin Island).
Among allegations levelled against him were that he paid $20 million to Bombardier Inc. of Canada, an aircraft manufacturer, for the purpose of buying a plane.
Also being investigated is a London Barclays Bank account in the name of MER Engineering. About 2.3 million pounds in deposits were traced to the account as payments by Chevron and NNPC, within three years.
Ibori Arrested After Bid To Escape
Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has been arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged missing funds belonging to the Delta State government. P.M.News gathered that Ibori was arrested this morning at about 11 a.m. at his Asokoro residence in Abuja and taken to the EFCC office where he is currently being interrogated.
He was said to have escaped to the Kwara State government lodge in Abuja when he discovered the presence of EFCC officials around his house.
His arrest brought to an end the cat and mouse game between him and EFCC officials who have been trying to bring him to book to answer charges bordering on alleged financial impropriety while he was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.
London’s Metropolitan Police had earlier arrested his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, while about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos.
The police said her arrest was “in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry.”
Ibori has been the subject of money laundering investigation in the UK, where his assets worth N5 billion have been frozen.
The investigation team of the Metropolitan Police has made several visits to Nigeria on the matter.
Also under arrest were some of Ibori’s associates, including Adebimpe Pogoson, described as Ibori’s special assistant, who is said to control a number of companies and bank accounts in Nigeria and third countries; Christine Ibori-Ebie, James Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, said to be James Ibori’s banker.
Under probe are companies and properties said to belong to the former Delta State Governor, such as Haleway Properties Ltd., Gibraltar, the property at 7, Westover Hill in the UK, valued at over 4 million pounds, the property at 42, Great Ground Street, Shaftsbury also in the UK and the company called Telston Quaye Ltd., (British Virgin Island).
Among allegations levelled against him were that he paid $20 million to Bombardier Inc. of Canada, an aircraft manufacturer, for the purpose of buying a plane.
Also being investigated is a London Barclays Bank account in the name of MER Engineering. About 2.3 million pounds in deposits were traced to the account as payments by Chevron and NNPC, within three years.
He was said to have escaped to the Kwara State government lodge in Abuja when he discovered the presence of EFCC officials around his house.
His arrest brought to an end the cat and mouse game between him and EFCC officials who have been trying to bring him to book to answer charges bordering on alleged financial impropriety while he was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.
London’s Metropolitan Police had earlier arrested his wife, Theresa Nkoyo, while about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos.
The police said her arrest was “in connection with an ongoing money laundering enquiry.”
Ibori has been the subject of money laundering investigation in the UK, where his assets worth N5 billion have been frozen.
The investigation team of the Metropolitan Police has made several visits to Nigeria on the matter.
Also under arrest were some of Ibori’s associates, including Adebimpe Pogoson, described as Ibori’s special assistant, who is said to control a number of companies and bank accounts in Nigeria and third countries; Christine Ibori-Ebie, James Ibori’s sister and Udoamaka Okoronkwo Onuigbo, said to be James Ibori’s banker.
Under probe are companies and properties said to belong to the former Delta State Governor, such as Haleway Properties Ltd., Gibraltar, the property at 7, Westover Hill in the UK, valued at over 4 million pounds, the property at 42, Great Ground Street, Shaftsbury also in the UK and the company called Telston Quaye Ltd., (British Virgin Island).
Among allegations levelled against him were that he paid $20 million to Bombardier Inc. of Canada, an aircraft manufacturer, for the purpose of buying a plane.
Also being investigated is a London Barclays Bank account in the name of MER Engineering. About 2.3 million pounds in deposits were traced to the account as payments by Chevron and NNPC, within three years.
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