Ibori Vs Ribadu: Evidence, Please

Comfort Obi

James Ibori, former governor of Delta State and Nuhu Ribadu, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have, at least, two things in common: Both are controversial. And have same friends with whom they discussed common interests, plotted, and decided other people's political and economic fate. Andy Uba’s former residence at the time, within Aso Rock, was one of their meeting places. Which was why when Ribadu, as the EFCC boss, decided to arrest Ibori, he knew where to get him – Uba's residence.
Given their deep friendship, only Ibori and Ribadu, and their other close friends can say when, how, and why they fell apart. Yet, none of them could have imagined that the two would descend to this gutter level, making public some of the deals and discussions they had behind closed doors. Their friends must be nervous by now. My prediction is that very soon, they will drag them into the arena. Andy Uba is already a central figure.
I will be lying if I tell you that I am not enjoying this unsolicited expose from both men. And I predict that they are just scratching at the surface now. The truth is still in the offing. And, like most people, I cannot wait for too long.
One cannot quite say when they decided to fight on the pages of newspapers. But we can take it from when the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Michael Aondokaa, SAN, declared that Ribadu was behind Ibori’s problems in London. In reply, Ribadu declared that he only went to give evidence on the Ibori case on the invitation of the Metropolitan Police. "You must obey the law. You must answer to any invitation from law enforcement agencies," Ribadu defended. True? So you wonder why he never did that in Nigeria during, and after his days at the EFCC. And what an evidence! Based on it, if Ibori ever appears before a London court, the court would be right to lock him up, and throw the key into the Atlantic Ocean. The deposition shook Ibori. So, he joined Ribadu in the media war. For once, Ribadu is seeing, and getting his match in Ibori. But both men should watch it. Ibori is a media owner. And Ribadu is the darling of a number of media practitioners. The joy: Those who both men plotted against when they were chummy-chummy are clapping.
In his first expose on Ribadu, Ibori said Ribadu had, many times, while both men were in office, tried to get him to assist him. In which ways? He was specific only on two things. One: Assisting him to become the Inspector General of Police. And two, to join him in a crusade to annul President Umaru Yar’Adua’s election, with a promise to drop all allegations against him if he played ball. Questions: Given that Ribadu was illegally promoted to the rank of an AIG, how could Ibori have helped him? And why Ibori? Of course, during the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, rumours were strong that Ribadu could become the next IGP, but why would he go through Ibori? The illegal and rapid promotions Ribadu had at the time was at the instance of the then IGP who gave what he did not have. If Obasanjo brazenly, and ignorantly endorsed the illegality then, why would he need an Ibori to make Ribadu the IGP, something that constitutionally falls under his purview? For the records, Ibori was not close to Obasanjo until the dying weeks of his regime when two of them decided on Yar’Adua. Indeed, Ibori's main pre-occupation in the run-up to the 2007 presidential election, was how to be Atiku Abubakar's running mate. So, at what point was the request made by Ribadu?
Ribadu has since denied the claim, saying as a police officer, and an anti-corruption agent, he knew Ibori was a double ex-convict, and so couldn’t have asked him to assist him to get the IGPship. So, who is lying here? And where is the evidence of the truth?
On Yar’Adua’s election, there are grey areas. How could Ibori have assisted Ribadu to nullify the election? Was he going to help him bribe the Supreme Court judges, or what? Has he ever done that in any of his (Iboris') many court cases? Long before this time, there had been stories of how shabbily, Ribadu treated Yar'Adua. Short of having Obasanjo for a third term, the Ribadu group wanted one of their own to succeed him. Mallam El-Rufai's name was strongly bandied about. Indeed, the allegation was that on the day Yar’Adua appeared before the EFCC for clearance to enable him contest the election, Ribadu kept him waiting for hours. Ibori before then, knew on which side his bread was buttered, so why would he connive with Ribadu against Yar'Adua? As confirmed by both men, they were friends. So, a question for Ribadu: If he knew that Ibori was a double convict and a felon, why were they friends, given the office he occupied?
Since Ribadu's reply, Ibori has delivered more uppercuts. He called Ribadu a fake anti-corruption Czar. He called him corrupt. He asked him to make public who paid for his hotel accommodation at 47 Park Street, Mayfair, London, on his way from the USA. He asked him to account for the millions of Naria he solicited for, and got, towards a non-existent EFCC Football Club. He asked him to explain how he got money to buy shares, by proxy, in companies owned by his (Ribadu's) friends. As his former bosom friend, Ibori should know. So, Sir, who picked Ribadu’s bills, and who gave him money to buy the alleged shares? And in which companies? These are interesting times.
Yet, there are two areas Ribadu and Ibori should address. In his deposition to the Metropolitan Police, Ribadu said Ibori bribed him with the sum of $15 million (US dollars), which he, Ribadu, gave to the CBN to keep as evidence. He insists the money was delivered to him at Andy Uba’s place. But where is the evidence? Did he sign something for Ibori? And, did the CBN give him an acknowledgement letter, or receipt, indicating for what purpose the money was meant? The CBN and Andy should speak up. Even though Ibori vehemently denies this, he needs to answer without ambiguities. Did he give Ribadu $15m US Dolllars? Yes, or no? If so, for what purpose? And he forgot to answer this question too. Ribadu said Ibori had been twice convicted in London – 1991 and 1992 – for shoplifting and credit card offences. Is it true or false? And if true, how did an ex-convict become a governor for two consecutive terms? Then, there is also this one. What is Ibori's explanation on the allegation that his government used Delta State's 820 million shares in Oceanic bank to guarantee a loan to Ascot Offshore Nigeria, a company in which Ibori allegedly has an interest?
In this matter, the person I sympathise with is Ribadu. For long, he has presented himself as an incorruptible figure, globe-trotting and, talking authoritatively on corruption. Now, Ibori, a former close friend of his, is telling us otherwise. He is accusing him of corruption, and insisting he has documentary evidence. If Ibori succeeds in providing authentic, verifiable evidence, even of the hotel bill, Ribadu would be finished. I pity him.