June 2, 2010
{joomplu:1289}{joomplu:579}{joomplu:594}The Nigeria Liberty Forum has called on Nigerians to show up in impressive numbers at Monday’s sentencing in London of Christine Ibie-Ibori (disgraced former Delta State Governor, James Ibori’s sister) and Udoamaka Okoronkwo-Onuigbo, his mistress. The event is scheduled for the Southwark Crown Court 8 on June 7 at 2 p.m.
{joomplu:1289}{joomplu:579}{joomplu:594}The Nigeria Liberty Forum has called on Nigerians to show up in impressive numbers at Monday’s sentencing in London of Christine Ibie-Ibori (disgraced former Delta State Governor, James Ibori’s sister) and Udoamaka Okoronkwo-Onuigbo, his mistress. The event is scheduled for the Southwark Crown Court 8 on June 7 at 2 p.m.
“Your massive attendance is needed to send a clear message to the world that Nigerians are hard working people who do not support or encourage economic crimes of any nature,” the NLF said in a press statement signed by Kayode Ogundamisi today in London. “It is also an important message to our leaders in Abuja that we demand an re-invigorated war against corruption that jettisons the incompetence of the current EFCC leadership, as well as a call for the trial of the former Attorney general of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa for “obstruction of justice”. It would also be a clear message demanding the immediate retrenchment and trial of Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court.”
The Forum commended Nigerians in the UK and all over the world for standing firm in following and supporting the trial of Ibori’s associates in the UK. It observed that yesterday’s conviction of some of Ibori’s associates had brought to naught the moves made by James Ibori and members of the Umaru Yar’Adua cabal to frustrate the trial in London.
“In particular, we also note the despicable role played by a UK member of parliament , Tony Baldry, who not only tried to interfere in the case by submitting a letter aimed at harassing UK law enforcement officials but also engaged in acts that clearly aimed at silencing the public by engaging well placed libel lawyers to shut down blogs and UK newspapers that highlighted his role in helping Ibori and his associates to escape justice in the UK.”
Below is the full text of the press statement:
The Nigeria Liberty Forum wishes to commend Nigerians in the UK and all over the world for standing firm in following and supporting the trial of former Governor James Ibori’s associates in the UK. The NLF also uses this opportunity to encourage all patriotic Nigerians resident in the UK and beyond to come out in large number to witness the sentencing of Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori, and mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo).
This week’s verdicts, which Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo), are proof of the success of our relentless efforts to expose all the moves made by the former governor and members of the Umaru Yar’adua cabal to frustrate the trial. Thanks to the persistent effort of patriotic Nigerians, Ibori and his sponsors’ attempts to derail the trial in London became futile.
Many Nigerians also worked with us to neutralize the despicable role played by Tony Baldry, a UK member of parliament. For one, Mr. Baldry tried to interfere in the case by submitting a letter aimed at undermining the efforts of UK law enforcement officials. He also engaged in acts clearly aimed at silencing his critics by engaging top libel lawyers to attempt shutting down blogs and UK newspapers that highlighted his role and attempts in helping Ibori and his associates to escape justice in the UK.
But this week’s guilty verdicts reflect not only the positive impact of our diligent commitment to the cause of ridding Nigeria of corruption but also the attentiveness of UK jurors willing to bring culprits to justice. A small cabal of highly placed Nigerians has recklessly robbed Nigeria’s resources. These shameless and unconscionable robbers have not only raped the nation but also profoundly compromised its institutions and hounded some of its best hands into exile.
The NLF wishes to express its gratitude to all of its members and non- members who made their presence felt physically in the courtrooms to show solidarity with the people of Delta State as well as the bloggers and citizen reporters who invested time and energy to report the progress of the trial. We also thank numerous Nigerians who, like Ms. Ayo Obe (formerly of the Civil Liberties Organization), either made trips to London to attend the trial or set aside time during their visits to show solidarity with our efforts. We are indebted to the many protesters who made it a point of duty to counter reactionary elements who blamed Ibori’s plight on political persecution rather than his greed. We thank Nigerians all over the world who helped chase Nigeria’s former “Attorney General of Crime,” Michael Aondoakaa, from his hotel room in London as he made efforts to truncate the trial in London, heavily abusing his office.
Finally, we call on all patriotic Nigerians resident in the UK (or even elsewhere) to make time in their calendar to attend the sentencing of Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo) at the Southwark Crown Court 8 on Monday June 7th 2010 at 2:00 p.m. prompt.
Nigerians’ presence in massive numbers is needed to send a clear message to the world that we abhor economic crimes that pauperize the majority of Nigerians and sabotage our country’s prospects.
Through your presence in court, you would also send an unambiguous message to Nigerian officials in Abuja that we demand a re-invigorated war against corruption. In order to jumpstart that war, the Goodluck Jonathan administration ought to jettison the incompetent current leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and commence the trial of Mr. Aondoakaa for the “obstruction of justice”. We also call on the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) to commence the process for the retrenchment and trial of Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court who betrayed his office by presiding over a sham trial to reach a pre-arranged verdict that acquitted Mr. Ibori of all money laundering charges.
The NLF once again wishes to express profound gratitude for the role you have played in this struggle to hold corrupt Nigerians accountable, and also to thank you in anticipation of your presence at the Southwark Crown Court on Monday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m.
“Your massive attendance is needed to send a clear message to the world that Nigerians are hard working people who do not support or encourage economic crimes of any nature,” the NLF said in a press statement signed by Kayode Ogundamisi today in London. “It is also an important message to our leaders in Abuja that we demand an re-invigorated war against corruption that jettisons the incompetence of the current EFCC leadership, as well as a call for the trial of the former Attorney general of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa for “obstruction of justice”. It would also be a clear message demanding the immediate retrenchment and trial of Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court.”
The Forum commended Nigerians in the UK and all over the world for standing firm in following and supporting the trial of Ibori’s associates in the UK. It observed that yesterday’s conviction of some of Ibori’s associates had brought to naught the moves made by James Ibori and members of the Umaru Yar’Adua cabal to frustrate the trial in London.
“In particular, we also note the despicable role played by a UK member of parliament , Tony Baldry, who not only tried to interfere in the case by submitting a letter aimed at harassing UK law enforcement officials but also engaged in acts that clearly aimed at silencing the public by engaging well placed libel lawyers to shut down blogs and UK newspapers that highlighted his role in helping Ibori and his associates to escape justice in the UK.”
Below is the full text of the press statement:
The Nigeria Liberty Forum wishes to commend Nigerians in the UK and all over the world for standing firm in following and supporting the trial of former Governor James Ibori’s associates in the UK. The NLF also uses this opportunity to encourage all patriotic Nigerians resident in the UK and beyond to come out in large number to witness the sentencing of Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori, and mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo).
This week’s verdicts, which Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo), are proof of the success of our relentless efforts to expose all the moves made by the former governor and members of the Umaru Yar’adua cabal to frustrate the trial. Thanks to the persistent effort of patriotic Nigerians, Ibori and his sponsors’ attempts to derail the trial in London became futile.
Many Nigerians also worked with us to neutralize the despicable role played by Tony Baldry, a UK member of parliament. For one, Mr. Baldry tried to interfere in the case by submitting a letter aimed at undermining the efforts of UK law enforcement officials. He also engaged in acts clearly aimed at silencing his critics by engaging top libel lawyers to attempt shutting down blogs and UK newspapers that highlighted his role and attempts in helping Ibori and his associates to escape justice in the UK.
But this week’s guilty verdicts reflect not only the positive impact of our diligent commitment to the cause of ridding Nigeria of corruption but also the attentiveness of UK jurors willing to bring culprits to justice. A small cabal of highly placed Nigerians has recklessly robbed Nigeria’s resources. These shameless and unconscionable robbers have not only raped the nation but also profoundly compromised its institutions and hounded some of its best hands into exile.
The NLF wishes to express its gratitude to all of its members and non- members who made their presence felt physically in the courtrooms to show solidarity with the people of Delta State as well as the bloggers and citizen reporters who invested time and energy to report the progress of the trial. We also thank numerous Nigerians who, like Ms. Ayo Obe (formerly of the Civil Liberties Organization), either made trips to London to attend the trial or set aside time during their visits to show solidarity with our efforts. We are indebted to the many protesters who made it a point of duty to counter reactionary elements who blamed Ibori’s plight on political persecution rather than his greed. We thank Nigerians all over the world who helped chase Nigeria’s former “Attorney General of Crime,” Michael Aondoakaa, from his hotel room in London as he made efforts to truncate the trial in London, heavily abusing his office.
Finally, we call on all patriotic Nigerians resident in the UK (or even elsewhere) to make time in their calendar to attend the sentencing of Christine Ibie-Ibori and Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo) at the Southwark Crown Court 8 on Monday June 7th 2010 at 2:00 p.m. prompt.
Nigerians’ presence in massive numbers is needed to send a clear message to the world that we abhor economic crimes that pauperize the majority of Nigerians and sabotage our country’s prospects.
Through your presence in court, you would also send an unambiguous message to Nigerian officials in Abuja that we demand a re-invigorated war against corruption. In order to jumpstart that war, the Goodluck Jonathan administration ought to jettison the incompetent current leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and commence the trial of Mr. Aondoakaa for the “obstruction of justice”. We also call on the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) to commence the process for the retrenchment and trial of Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court who betrayed his office by presiding over a sham trial to reach a pre-arranged verdict that acquitted Mr. Ibori of all money laundering charges.
The NLF once again wishes to express profound gratitude for the role you have played in this struggle to hold corrupt Nigerians accountable, and also to thank you in anticipation of your presence at the Southwark Crown Court on Monday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m.
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