Connect with us

Society

James Ibori set to return home

Published

8 years ago

on

On a day that a London court ruled that former Delta state governor James Ibori, could return to Nigeria, he signalled a possible political comeback in the country.

He told Reuters he would return within days to Nigeria.

Ibori was released from British prison in December after serving half of his 13-year sentence, taking into account pre-trial detention.

“What happens in African politics – you are in it until you die,” Ibori told Reuters in London on Tuesday.

“I am a politician, I will always be a politician. I play the politics in my party and in my country for the good of my people,” he said after a court hearing, part of ongoing legal proceedings in his case.

Nigerian media reported that Ibori’s release had prompted dancing in the streets in parts of Delta State.

A video later surfaced on YouTube of Ibori being feted in London by supporters including a sitting Delta State senator who said, to cheers, that Ibori had “made” the careers of several prominent Nigerian politicians while in prison.

Ibori declined to say whether this was true. “The prison telephone is meant for keeping in touch … so you can reintegrate when you come out,” he said.

Asked if he would run for office again, Ibori said he was barred from doing so for 10 years because of his conviction, but that he intended to appeal to have that conviction overturned.

The appeal would centre on an allegation, made by one of Ibori’s former associates, that a British police officer had taken bribes in return for inside information on the case before Ibori’s conviction, and that prosecutors had covered it up.

British police say the allegation was investigated, resulting in no arrests or charges.

The state prosecution service says material supporting the allegation exists and it initially failed to disclose that to Ibori’s defence team, but it is confident Ibori’s conviction remains valid. Court proceedings are ongoing.

*Reuters

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Society

DSS Arrests, Detains Lagos House of Assembly Members Over Obasa’s Removal As Speaker

Published

6 days ago

on

January 30, 2025

By

 

The last may not have been heard over the crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly as two members of the House, Hon. Lanre Afinni and Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu are currently being detained at the DSS office in the State.

 

According to an impeccable source from the House, the two are facing interrogation in connection with the removal of Hon Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker.

 

 

Obasa was removed as Speaker by the majority of the members on January 13 and replaced with the former Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.

 

 

In solidarity with their colleagues, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Mojeed Fatai with some other members of the House stormed the DSS office to secure their release.

 

 

Details later…

Continue Reading

Society

EFCC Arrests Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf

Published

6 days ago

on

January 30, 2025

By

 

Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

Society Reporters reports that The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television during a phone interview on Wednesday.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was taken into custody following a raid on his residence by EFCC operatives.

 

 

The Commission has announced that he is scheduled to be arraigned today January 30, 2025.

 

 

This arrest follows a petition submitted to the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health, citing allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.

 

 

Professor Yusuf was dismissed from his position in 2019, a decision made seven months after a fact-finding panel from the Federal Ministry of Health recommended his removal due to alleged mismanagement of 919 million Naira.

Continue Reading

Society

Just In: APC expels Rauf Aregbesola

Published

1 week ago

on

January 29, 2025

By

 

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has expelled Rauf Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and ex-Osun State Governor, over alleged anti-party activities.

 

Aregbesola, who was a two-term governor of Osun State had been having a running battle with the Osun chapter of the APC in recent times.

 

The disagreement with the APC led him into forming a factional group within the party, known as The Osun Progressive (TOP) which later mutated into the Omoluabi Caucus.

 

 

 

A letter from the APC leadership seen by newsmen on Wednesday officially confirmed Aregbesola’s expulsion.

 

The letter, titled “Allegations of Anti-Party Activities – Conveyance of State Exco Decision to You,” accused him of breaching Article 21 of the party’s constitution, which outlines disciplinary measures for members.

 

The letter read in part, “At the end of the investigation, the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee. Having carefully reviewed the findings and recommendations, the SEC resolved to approve your immediate expulsion from the APC.

 

 

The decision was predicated on clear evidence of your actions, which undermined the unity and integrity of the party. As a result, you are no longer a member of the APC and must refrain from holding yourself out as one or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity.”

 

More details to come…..

Continue Reading

Trending