Mercel Awokulehin, a Judge of the Federal High Court Asaba, today Friday, November 6, 2009, adjourned the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against former Delta State governor, James Ibori. The case was adjourned to Monday, November 23, 2009.
The EFCC had filed a 167 count charge of fraud and embezzlement against Mr. Ibori who was governor between 1999 and 2007. Mr. Ibori is reported to have arrived in court with a retinue of supporters in the early hours of the day.
The present case took a different turn when the National Judicial Council (NJC) on October 19, 2009 queried Mr. Awokulehin to respond to allegations of gross misconduct by Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), a non-governmental association. CACOL had in a letter addressed to the NJC accused the trial judge of shielding Mr. Ibori from prosecution in England while trying to pass a predetermined judgement. The trial judge was given two weeks to respond to the petition by Justice Idris Kutigi, the Chairman of the NJC.
History
After expiration of his tenure in 2007, during which period he enjoyed immunity from prosecution, the EFCC filed the 167count charge against Mr. Ibori at the Federal High Court, Kaduna. Mr. Ibori’s lawyers led by Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had approached the Court of Appeal after the court ruled that it had jurisdiction over the case. The Appellate Court, however, directed that the case be moved to the Federal High Court, Asaba, where it is presently being handled.
Mr. Ibori , one of the 14 national elders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, alongside some of his former associates is also being tried in England for money laundering and other financial crimes. The former Delta State governor is, however, not new to criminal activities. NEXT had previously reported how he was convicted on two different occasions of theft and possession of stolen goods in England in 1991.