James Ibori’s #50 Million Pension: How Not To Compensate A Prolific Looter
- Post 26 December 2012
- Last Updated on 06 January 2013
- By AKINOLA M.A.
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“He was never the legitimate governor and there was effectively a thief in government house. As the pretender of that public office, he was able to plunder Delta state’s wealth and hand out patronage”. Prosecution QC Sasha Wass (speaking about James Onanefe Ibori).
Every human society right from era of stone age down to modern era is founded on the concept of an ideal society where every citizens are accountable for his/her action or inaction.Where criminals are denied access from benefiting from their illegal activities and genuine/law abiding enterprising citizens have access to enjoy the fruit of their labour unhindered.But the foundation of Nigeria is contrary to this concept.Our corrupt elite through the premeditated efforts of the Judiciary are cultivating a fertile ground for violent crimes to fester.A Nation where a well known high profile criminal or ex-convict can foul the law with impunity,walks free and still receives accolades in form of state,National honour and access pension is a direct signal to potential kidnappers,terrorists,armed-robbers,miscreants.e.t.c, to act with impunity without any regard to sanctity of human lives.
Despite efforts by delta Government to defend payment of 50 million naira pension into ex-Gov.Ibori’s account,the rationale in favour of this infamous decision lacks any moral justification but as the popular saying goes;Birds of a feather flocks together.
Our elite through a very corrupt judiciary are veteran when it comes to interpreting or exploiting our laws to feather their nest. With rapt gusto,the Delta state commissioner of information tried in vein to insulate Ibori’s treasury looting and other misdemeanor offenses from his pension entitlement.A trend which is very common in our clime.where,despite glaring and overwhelming evidence.white suddenly becomes black.2+2 suddenly becomes 7.It's even very insulting,repulsive and demeaning that the same Delta State is still spending a fortune in legal fees trying to retrieve Ibori's $15million dollars bribe to EFCC in court.A Flood ravaged state desperate in need of scarce fund to revamp it economy should not even be thinking of compensating a felon who consciously milked them dry.The policy thrust of the government should ultimately be the masses first and foremost.Even state officials should cut their salary and solidarize with the masses.Any thing less is evil.enough is enough!
When they want protect their interest,our elite always feign ignorance,collective amnesia or deliberately omit vital section of our constitution,which states Inter Alia that “The primary existence of government is to protect the interest of the masses by providing an enabling environment to enhance human capital development where no citizens,community or section of the society is left behind”.Developed and developing countries adhered to this principle wholeheartedly by massive spending in unemployment,housing,education,health care,child benefits,e.t.c.,The logic behind massive spending on social security is very simple:Human being tends to be less violent or criminal when he is socially secured.But Nigerian masses,have over the years been battered,oppressed and left behind with no alternative but to seek an illegitimate avenue to secure its survival no matter the consequences.
Nobody (maybe few) set out early in life to be a nuisance to his family or society.Given the same opportunity and level ground,we all want to work hard,earn living legitimately and be somebody but there is a limit to human endurance and forbearance and when short cuts to illegitimate wealth present itself with or without tact support of the elite,the masses will surely become a willing tools of the devil.
The rate of violent crimes are increasing in Nigeria today primarily due to massive corruption in high places,because funds that should be freed to socially secure unemployed citizens are diverted or trapped in private pockets.Dwindling industrial base leading to job loses,reckless elite,a vicious ideologically driven violent terrorists in the north and quasi zero spending on social security to tame increasing redundant population are recipe for disaster.How do we intend to tame this monster?we are not getting it!
As a criminal that captured the governor's office by altering and concealing his criminal records,identity & looted state's treasury,MR,James Onanefe Ibori ,his cronies,family & others across the federation should be barred from accessing state fund or benefit (pension),but if these felons are to enjoy state funds via pension,then what is wrong dedicating funds to appease Boko-Haram,Kidnappers,armed-robbers & other miscreants?After all,the root of these violent crimes are attributable to greed,recklessness and shortsightedness of our elite. or is someone saying some criminals are more handsome than the other?But hold on !I'm not in anyway advocating that any criminals should be rewarded in cash or kind.But James Ibori earning pension from state he onsciously looted has serious consequence and precedence..Paying him pension is an encrypted coded message and signal to Criminals of different shades and background.
We must pay serious attention to our sense of reward!
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What is wrong with helping a convicted thief settle down after serving his well-deserved sentence with public funds? The answer is EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!
Uduaghan and Ibori are from the same clan and reported cousins so it is all in the family. Why is Uduaghan not doing same for all convicts from Delta state? It is simple; there are thieves and there are other thieves.
What is wrong with helping a convicted thief settle down after serving his well-deserved sentence with public funds? The answer is EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!
Uduaghan and Ibori are from the same clan and reported cousins so it is all in the family. Why is Uduaghan not doing same for all convicts from Delta state? It is simple; there are thieves and there are other thieves. QUOTE:
Ibori was both the legitimate governor and a thief in government house. We must thank INEC, SSS and the Judiciary for this anomaly. QUOTE:
The two are not comparable. The Law stipulates that governors are entitled to pension. It does not make similar provisions for criminals or miscreants. Therefore, irrespective of our feelings towards Ibori, he is entitled to pension. History records that he served two terms as governor of Delta State. Even if the Law is amended, it should not be retroactive. The onus is on all of us to ensure that criminals or ex-convicts do not hold elected offices. Besides Ibori, other ex-convicts have contested and won elections in our country. I shall even go further to state that it is also our duty to ensure that pension for public office holders is not outrageous. Because we have neglected this responsibility, some SHA have approved obscene terminal benefits for governors. We must abandon the practice of keeping quiet in the face of evil and then complaining later.
Whilst the law does indeed stipulate that ex-governors are entitled to a pension, I doubt the position would remain same for those convicted of criminal behaviour/activity such as Ibori? Not unless of course, our 'constitution' does not recognise foreign convictions. Lol!
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You have a point. I do not know if by law, convicted pensioners lose their entitlements. Let our lawyers educate us on this. QUOTE:
The QC shld mind his business. This is not the colonial era...the dude won the elections and so many hearts up to the point that he was given several titles.....if the whiteman with the encouragement of those hiding under the skirt of the white massa should release him today....you guys will know and see how far he's revered by his people. He earned it ...he served his party(PDP)and his people meritoriously......... 
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Now that the whole truth is out, should such serial convict qualify for pension? QUOTE:
Crooks will always gamble. It is therefore the duty of the society to prevent crooks from getting elected into office. BTW, Ibori is neither the first, nor the only, crook to win election in Nigeria. This is a systemic failure. The more pertinent question is why did the bodies responsible for vetting candidates fail? Secondly, why were his opponents unable to prove their case in the court? Was it by design or coincidence? It must be recalled that the final verdict was given by the Supreme Court. With respect to the second question, it is necessary to find out the position of the Law on this. In the absence of any specific legal stipulation on such cases, he is entitled to pension. IMO, one way out will be a court verdict declaring his entire tenure null and void. QUOTE:
The best thing would have been to screen felons out of public office in the first place. QUOTE:
I agree with you on this. This should be the ideal situation. But what happens if, for one reason or another, a felon, like Ibori, gets elected? On what legal basis would he be denied pension? PAGE 1 2
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