Delta state returns seized money to James Ibori

Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in a bid to sway the court not to allow the return to Delta state of the $15million seized from former Governor James Ibori, has told a story of a past misdeed by the state.

The EFCC thus urged the court to refuse the state government’s claims over the bribe money as it is likely to be transfered back to the former governor who is currently serving jail term in London following his conviction on money laundering charges in a London court.

A dumbfounded Attorney General of the state, Mr. Charles Ajuyah 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 court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole consequently adjourned further hearing into the matter till 10 January, 2013 for continuation of proceedings.

There had been a raging controversy over the ownership of the money which was allegedly given by the former governor to former chairman of the anti graft agency, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu which was kept in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria since 2006. The EFCC approached the court seeking for the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

The court however granted a temporary forfeiture order and ordered that any interested party should come forth within 14 days to show cause why a permanent forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

The Delta state government approached the court and laid claims to ownership of the fund and urged the court to release the money to it as it’s rightful owners.