Two separate Federal High Courts today denied the bail applications of former Governors James Ibori of Delta and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti.
In Kaduna, a Federal High Court judge ruled that Mr. Ibori, who faces a 103-count indictment for corruption, abuse of office and money laundering, should be remanded at the Kaduna prison until January 11, 2008. Another judge in Lagos ordered Fayose held in Ikoyi prison until January 9 next year.
Saharareporters could not ascertain as at press time what legal arguments sustained the decision of the judges.
However, we reported a day ago that the prosecutors handling James Ibori's case were not perturbed by the antics of the Delta State government which had paid huge sums of money to hired militants and pressure groups to intimidate the judge. Our source said the prosecutors also regarded Ibori as a flight risk since he had prior convictions in the UK dating from the early 90's and also carries multiple passports.
Former Governor Fayose emerged two weeks ago from many months of hiding following his impeachment by the Ekiti State Assembly. He made a dramatic appearance in the state capital accompanied by a convoy of vehicles, with a retinue of hired supporters. A few days ago, Mr. Fayose surrendered himself to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who wanted him on multiple corruption charges.
A source close to Ibori told our reporters that the ex-governor was “absolutely devastated by the judge’s order.” As expected, Ibori had brought hired crowds to Kaduna to protest his detention and trial. Added the source: “Chief Ibori had looked forward to celebrating Christmas and the New Year with his friends and family at home.”
Ibori’s cousin and chosen successor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, had recruited several militant groups to promise mayhem and a spate of kidnappings should Ibori be denied bail.
A security source in Abuja said Governor Uduaghan’s sponsorship of terrorist activities was being closely monitored.
...PM News Reports from Kaduna
Breaking News : Ibori To Spend Xmas, New Year In Prison By Femi Adi/Kaduna
Hard times await former Delta State governor, James Ibori, as a Federal High Court in Kaduna, this morning, declined to grant him bail and fixed his trial for 11 January, 2008. The court also ordered that he be moved from the EFCC custody to prison custody until 11 January, when the case is expected to be given accelerated hearing.
Delivering his ruling in the bail application filed by Joseph Daudu (SAN), Ibori’s counsel, this morning, Justice Mohammed Lawal Shuaibu, ruled that since there was no substantial evidence from Ibori to convince the court on his oral application for bail, he, therefore, rejected the application.
“The court has the desertion to grant bail to the accused or not, but since there was no material evidence provided by counsel to the accused, the oral application is hereby refused and accelerated hearing granted,” Justice Shuaibu ruled.
After the ruling, counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, pleaded with the court to file proof of evidence against the 103-count charge against Ibori and his mistress, Uzoma Okoronkwo. Jacob also requested to file another 26 charges against the accused persons.
Ibori’s counsel, Joseph Bodunrin (SAN), who kicked against the idea of filing proof of evidence against his clients, urged the court to stand down the application, which the court did accordingly.
In an interview with P.M.News, counsel to Ibori, Joseph Daudu (SAN), gave assurance that all efforts would be made within the law to seek Ibori’s bail when the court resumes sitting in January.
Meanwhile, a large crowd of supporters of the former governor from Delta State, besieged the court this morning, asking the court to release him.
They carried placards with the inscriptions: “Ibori has always remained our leader, jailing Ibori can’t kill resource control.”
It took a reinforced team of policemen from the Kaduna State Police Command to stop the supporters from pulling down the gates leading to the courtroom wall, which was damaged by the supporters.
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