£15m Ibori bribe: FG kicks against Delta ownership claim

THE Federal Government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, kicked against  the request made by the Delta State government before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja praying it to release  the £15 million alleged Ibori bribe money to it.
The anti-graft agency made this position known in a counter affidavit it filed before the court praying it to refuse the request as the state government had not been able to account for previous monies recovered from the former governor which were released to it.
The EFCC averred on the affidavit that sometime in 2008, it returned the sum of N50 million to Delta State which it recovered from the former governor,  James Ibori but that the money was later in 2010 wired back to Ibori’s bank account in London in the form of building grant by the state government.
Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Jacob, therefore,  urged the court to refuse the state government’s claims over the bribe money as it was likely to be transfered back to the former governor, who is currently serving a jail term in London following his conviction on money laundering charges in a London court.
Counsel for the Delta State government and Attorney-General of the state, Charles Ajuyah (SAN), in his response to the submission of the anti-graft agency, requested for time to enable him study the application and to file a formal response.
The presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, consequently adjourned further hearing till  January 10, 2013.

Tribune