February 12, 2010
With the London trial of James Ibori and his associates for money laundering entering a crucial stage, I reminisced over a bumper sticker that read: “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.” Delta State indigenes, Nigerians and the world at large should indeed be outraged at the alleged financial improprieties of James Ibori and his cohorts. These allegations, if proven to be true, will have serious ramifications to our democracy.
With the London trial of James Ibori and his associates for money laundering entering a crucial stage, I reminisced over a bumper sticker that read: “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.” Delta State indigenes, Nigerians and the world at large should indeed be outraged at the alleged financial improprieties of James Ibori and his cohorts. These allegations, if proven to be true, will have serious ramifications to our democracy.
It is alleged, among other things, that James Ibori and his associates stole, misappropriated and used Delta State’s resources for personal use and to acquire companies (Ascot, Notore et al). These allegations should not be taken lightly as the monies involved run into trillions of Naira. There have been no shortage of outrage when it comes to resource control, amnesty, the decision of the Yar’ Adua administration to move the petroleum university from Effurun to Kaduna, and refusal to transfer power to Acting President Jonathan among others.
Why is there no outrage at these allegations? I suspect the answer is that Deltans have become disenchanted. They have been bludgeoned into complacency and resigned to silent protest - in their living rooms, in peer conversations around dinner tables, and in beer parlors. They have also allowed themselves to succumb to the dominance of political, tribal, and selfish interest groups.
Why so much disenchantment? The blame lies at the door of the political elite in the state. They have deliberately created and/or condoned suffering in the midst of so much, thereby turning its citizenry to beggars and worshippers of ill-gotten wealth. The polarization of Deltans by the state government has deprived Deltans the opportunity to be partakers of the social debate and, ultimately, the ability to express outrage at Ibori’s alleged massive looting of our treasury. It is interesting to note that the state house of assembly has not set up an independent investigative body to investigate a former chief executive who stands accused of looting its treasury. It is unfortunate that Delta state legislators both in Asaba and Abuja are mostly made up of tugs and shenanigans who are bereft of moral, ethical and intellectual maturity.
Equally complicit – by their loud silence – are our traditional rulers, the orodje’s, ovie’s, obi’s, olu’s and kabowei’s etc. Which side are they on, the people or alleged looters? They are supposed to be custodians of our traditions. One cannot help but wonder if the cars, monetary gifts, political contracts and juicy employment opportunities to their children and relatives have subverted their allegiance to their subjects. Not one has shown any outrage since the revelations of the Ibori imbroglio.
The clergy is not immune from responsibility. I am still waiting for the clergy in Delta state and of Delta extraction in particular and Nigeria as a whole to come to terms with the biblical imperative to confront foul conduct and fight for the Truth. The president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is a Deltan who proselytizes in the midst of poverty in the region. He had a lot to say during the Boko Haram crisis and has yet to utter a statement concerning the Ibori alleged corruption.
And our intellectuals, where are their voices? Where are the so -called constitutional and human rights lawyers in Delta state and of Delta extraction? To my dear friend Keyamo, shout out to you! Please apply the same vigour and energy you are using in the customs director general certificate forgery scandal, to the Ibori case. Members of the bar and judiciary where is your outrage? Are you not supposed to be the last hope of the masses?
Where are the political leaders and stakeholders, I am referring to the Onosode’s, B.I.C Ijeoma’s, etc. Why these silence? My late father, Pa Ruskin use to say that the thoughts and words of our elders are the words of wisdom. I will use this opportunity to commend Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark (migwor) for his relentless fight to see that justice is done when it comes to the looters of Delta State treasury.
We may all be disturbed by these allegations, but should realize that silent protest or no protest will not resolve these enormous problems. We as a people should rise up to the situation and say enough is enough already. We all have a responsibility for the future of our children. If the politicians cannot rise up to the situation, we all should. I am also calling on Vice President Jonathan to resume the prosecution of James Ibori and his associates.
Felix Ayanruoh (LLM)
Practices law in New York and the District of Colombia.
It is alleged, among other things, that James Ibori and his associates stole, misappropriated and used Delta State’s resources for personal use and to acquire companies (Ascot, Notore et al). These allegations should not be taken lightly as the monies involved run into trillions of Naira. There have been no shortage of outrage when it comes to resource control, amnesty, the decision of the Yar’ Adua administration to move the petroleum university from Effurun to Kaduna, and refusal to transfer power to Acting President Jonathan among others.
Why is there no outrage at these allegations? I suspect the answer is that Deltans have become disenchanted. They have been bludgeoned into complacency and resigned to silent protest - in their living rooms, in peer conversations around dinner tables, and in beer parlors. They have also allowed themselves to succumb to the dominance of political, tribal, and selfish interest groups.
Why so much disenchantment? The blame lies at the door of the political elite in the state. They have deliberately created and/or condoned suffering in the midst of so much, thereby turning its citizenry to beggars and worshippers of ill-gotten wealth. The polarization of Deltans by the state government has deprived Deltans the opportunity to be partakers of the social debate and, ultimately, the ability to express outrage at Ibori’s alleged massive looting of our treasury. It is interesting to note that the state house of assembly has not set up an independent investigative body to investigate a former chief executive who stands accused of looting its treasury. It is unfortunate that Delta state legislators both in Asaba and Abuja are mostly made up of tugs and shenanigans who are bereft of moral, ethical and intellectual maturity.
Equally complicit – by their loud silence – are our traditional rulers, the orodje’s, ovie’s, obi’s, olu’s and kabowei’s etc. Which side are they on, the people or alleged looters? They are supposed to be custodians of our traditions. One cannot help but wonder if the cars, monetary gifts, political contracts and juicy employment opportunities to their children and relatives have subverted their allegiance to their subjects. Not one has shown any outrage since the revelations of the Ibori imbroglio.
The clergy is not immune from responsibility. I am still waiting for the clergy in Delta state and of Delta extraction in particular and Nigeria as a whole to come to terms with the biblical imperative to confront foul conduct and fight for the Truth. The president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria is a Deltan who proselytizes in the midst of poverty in the region. He had a lot to say during the Boko Haram crisis and has yet to utter a statement concerning the Ibori alleged corruption.
And our intellectuals, where are their voices? Where are the so -called constitutional and human rights lawyers in Delta state and of Delta extraction? To my dear friend Keyamo, shout out to you! Please apply the same vigour and energy you are using in the customs director general certificate forgery scandal, to the Ibori case. Members of the bar and judiciary where is your outrage? Are you not supposed to be the last hope of the masses?
Where are the political leaders and stakeholders, I am referring to the Onosode’s, B.I.C Ijeoma’s, etc. Why these silence? My late father, Pa Ruskin use to say that the thoughts and words of our elders are the words of wisdom. I will use this opportunity to commend Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark (migwor) for his relentless fight to see that justice is done when it comes to the looters of Delta State treasury.
We may all be disturbed by these allegations, but should realize that silent protest or no protest will not resolve these enormous problems. We as a people should rise up to the situation and say enough is enough already. We all have a responsibility for the future of our children. If the politicians cannot rise up to the situation, we all should. I am also calling on Vice President Jonathan to resume the prosecution of James Ibori and his associates.
Felix Ayanruoh (LLM)
Practices law in New York and the District of Colombia.
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