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 Daily Independent Online.
* Thursday, August 12, 2004.
Ibori case: Ochuko to appear in court
Sept 27-Counsel
By Tony Eluemunor
Abuja Bureau Chief
James Onanefe
Ochuko Ibori, the truck driver who claims to be the person convicted by
the Bwari Upper Area Court in 1995, is set to appear in court on
September 27 to prove his case.
One of his
counsels, Emeka Agbapuonwu, confirmed in a telephone interview late
Tuesday that the man is not face less “as the newspapers made him appear
on Monday. He is real, and he will personally be in court on September
27”.
Agbapuonwu said
he spoke from Lagos.
He was reacting to
stories in some national
newspapers on Monday. At first, he was reluctant to talk on the matter;
then relented when persuaded.
His words: As a
“lawyer with 22 years experience, I don’t argue my case on the pages of
newspapers. I practise my law in the court. Yet, I do not mind some of
the things written, because I will do my duty in court.
“The press
celebrated the statement from Governor James Ibori (who alleged that
Ochuko is a phantom dreamed up by opponents to prevent the prosecution of
those who forged the documents against him), but I am not bothered. I’m
not worried because I do not work for Ibori. In fact I have never met
him. In fact, in this matter he is actually my opponent as my client is
the plaintiff and he is at best a defendant. We are on opposite sides.
“But we have a
case to prove and we will prove it. Look, my own Ibori is not faceless,
he was in court right here in Abuja when he deposed to that affidavit. He
did it on his own volition. I spoke to him, asked him every question I
needed to ask and then when I knew he had a genuine case, I then agreed
to go to court”.
When reminded
that the courts in Abuja are on recess, he said he has already filed his
papers and obtained a date.
According to
him, as the governor’s case re-opens on September 27, his own would be
heard also. “The hearing in the other case cannot go on until the
decision is taken to join us first or not. If the court agrees, I can
recall all the witnesses”.
Agbapuonwu who
read law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said he has never
been a sensational lawyer, preferring to practise quietly, an attitude he
would rather adopt in this case. “I don’t always feel comfortable with
talking about my cases with journalists because of the simple reason of
subjudice. I don’t practise in the court of public opinion; I practise in
the court of law.
“My friend, my client is
genuine. He is convincing. I can’t be involved in a messy phantom case.
Never. Come September 27, that Ibori will be in court and he will prove
his case. Just watch out”.
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