Ibori forgives opponents, seeks probe of missing court documents
From Sunny Ogefere, Asaba
DELTA State Governor, James Onanefe Ibori, who was on Monday cleared of the ex-convict allegation made against him by his political opponents, said yesterday that he has forgiven his prosecutors.
Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which Ibori also belongs, Messrs. Goodnews Agbi and Anthony Alabi, filed the suit claiming that the governor was convicted by the Bwari Upper Area Court in 1995.
But on Monday, Justice Husseini Muktar of an Abuja High Court acquitted the governor of the charges, citing "apparent material contradiction."
At an interdenominational service held yesterday at the Indoors Sports Hall of the Asaba Township Stadium to thank God for the governor's victory, Ibori said: "We forgive all. As we give honour and glory to God for his deliverance, I hereby assure all that we harbour no malice or hatred against anyone. We forgive our persecutors and pray that God will touch their hearts and have mercy on them."
However, the governor enjoined the authorities to investigate and prosecute all those responsible for the forgery and stealing of court documents because of the implications of their actions.
He said that the state and himself were the primary targets of the "fraudsters" and their action had dangerous implications for individual and national integrity.
"It is very good that they have been exposed by the court. All those behind the forgery and stealing of documents must be investigated by the Federal Government and prosecuted for ridiculing the judiciary and the stability of the nation," Ibori said.
He described Monday's judgment of the Abuja High Court as "a historic one," which has justified his faith in the judiciary and the rule of law.
According to the governor, what happened at the court was not just a victory for him as the chief executive of Delta State, but it symbolises the triumph of truth over falsehood and virtue over villainy.
Ibori said that the judgment had rekindled the hope for the ultimate survival of democracy in the country.
He said that the intention of those behind the fabrication of falsehood against him, was to derail the process of peace and progress which democracy has brought to Delta, adding that the intention to cause confusion in the state and destabilise democracy in the country.
"Unfortunately, the plotters and their sponsors underestimated the capacity of the people of the state and Nigeria to defend their democracy. They also forgot the power of God to protect the innocent and the just," he said.
He said that with the landmark judgment, the Nigerian Judiciary had lived up to its reputation as the fortress of democracy and as a beacon of hope for the people.
"We are also indebted to the media organisations for their patriotic role in the whole saga and for demonstrating that they are true allies of democracy," he added.
Ibori restated his dedication to the service of God, the state, Niger Delta and the country, saying that the victory had renewed his electoral mandate and pledged not to relent in the pursuit of justice and equity for the people.
In a brief sermon at the service, the Anglican Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Rev. Nicholas Okoh urged Governor Ibori to exhibit faith in God by forgiving his adversaries so that he can receive the favour of God.
Besides, he said the victory at the court was a challenge for Ibori to perform and bring dividend of democracy to the people. Prayers were also said for permanent peace to reign in Delta State.
In his reaction to Ibori's victory, a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Chris Akiri said: "On hearing the news of Ibori's legal victory, I literally went into ecstasies. This was not because the victory was unexpected, but because I knew that we were wrestling with the dark forces of this world.
"Anyone possessed of a nodding acquaintance with the law would have expected this judgment, all things being equal.
In view of the heaps of contradictions which plagued the evidence of the prosecution's principal witness, Alhaji Awwal Yusuf, no self-respecting judge would have given a different judgment."`
