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Imo indigenes greet Ibori
on legal victory
By Ben Duru
Correspondent, Owerri
The Abuja Federal High Court
judgement vindicating Delta State Governor James Ibori of all charges
against him has been greeted by Imo State indigenes that described the
victory as an indication that the nation is ripe for democracy.
They said for the judiciary to
have delivered such a resounding judgement on an issue that had been
politicised shows that the third arm of government has purged itself and
refused to be tied to the apron string of any individual or
group.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume
(Okigwe) said the judiciary has shown that it could be reliable on when
many people feel it would not live up to expectations.
He said the judgement was one
whose outcome most people have been waiting for and that he is happy that
an acceptable judgement has been delivered and Ibori is
cleared.
He said, �I believe in the
ability of the judiciary to do their jobs very well. The administration of
President Olusegun Obasanjo has done a lot to reposition the judiciary to
make it succeed.�
He said the internal cleansing
within the judiciary and the fearlessness with which judges have been
delivering judgement indicated that democracy has come to stay.
The Commissioner for
Information and Culture, Chief Chris Okewulonu, said the judgement is one
that shows that there is still hope for the oppressed and the less
privileged in the country.
He added that, �It is a
victory to democracy and for the judiciary. With the way things are going
within the judiciary, I want to tell you that the sky is their
limit.�
Okewulonu urged Ibori to
forget the past and continue with his people-oriented policies, insisting
that at the end of the day the prayers of the masses that sustained him
through the period of trial would also sustain him through to
2007.
He called on those who lost
the case to join hands to ensure that Delta State moves forward in the
interest of the masses.
Member of the state House of
Assembly, Chief Mbadiwa Emelumba (Orlu West) said the judgement is an
indication that true democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
He praised the patience of
Ibori, saying �throughout the period of the trial there was no report of
molestation of those who sued him and there was also no report that
government manipulated anybody.�
Emelumba said for the governor
to have submit himself to such trial shows that no one is above the law
and that the law is not a respecter of any individual or group and that
the judiciary has proved its mettle against all odds.
Another member, Chief Damian
Okebaram Ogu (Onuimo), said he was elated by the judgment because of the
misconception of the people on the powers of the judiciary.
�The judiciary has
demonstrated that they have the ability to do what is right at anytime
against every odd. I praise them for a good job well done,� he
said.
Representative Mike Ohia
(Okigwe North) said the judgement has vindicated the judiciary and brought
the fact to the fore that judges are not tied to the apron string of
anyone.
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