Ibori was a Victim of Political Games, Says Fashanu
Former international footballer, Ambassador John Fashanu, was a character witness in the trial of the former governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, who recently returned to Nigeria after serving his jail term in London for corruption. In this interview
Former governor Ibori is back and he is receiving a hero’s welcome. Why do you think that is? If a rally was planned for him, it would probably be bigger than that of Tuface, because he is very charismatic, he is very popular. Let me explain what type of person he is. Even when you want to dislike him, it is very difficult to dislike him. I think that is one of the reasons he has done so well.
Prison? I was asked so many times about James. Well he is a convicted criminal, yes he is, but in that case so are Obasanjo, Buhari and Major Hamza Mustapha. These are all people who have spent time in prison. So on that mark I do not think I am taking it too far because if we really have to take all the leaders who have taken money, and they were tried in London court, I assure you we would not have any leader.
I have known James Ibori since the 80’s, even at one time he was in London with me. I know him as a Robin Hood type of fellow, because if he has taken money from institution, he has certainly given out a lot more than he has taken, because the stories and the wonderful changes of lives that he has been able to assist, not just in Delta state even in England, the stories are everywhere, I have been very proud of him.
So I think it is a plus that James Ibori is now back after four and a half years. He has done his time and I think he has done his time very quietly. I am sure that he wants a little bit of time to have some rest but I am sure that the James Ibori which we saw four and half years ago will be coming back soon.
You said James Ibori was like a Robin Hood character, several of his colleagues at the time who were governors have or had cases with the EFCC but are walking free, some are even in the Senate. So do you agree with the theory that he was a victim of political game
We all know full well that he was a victim of political game. That is the game in Nigeria. If you are very influential and you are very popular obviously you are a threat to serving government. I just think he was very unlucky to find himself tried in London court, where they do not have the system as we do here in Nigeria.
I don’t say he is a Robin Hood character, that is what people say. People talked about him as a Robin Hood type of person, but I assure you that the James Ibori I know is somebody who is a leader, who makes things happen. His popularity is unprecedented.
When I was the character senior witness for him during his trial. I was happy to pay my own ticket and go to London, stay in a hotel and be a witness in his trial. And the only thing I had to say about James were good things. I talked about the sport facilities he has done in Delta State, the roads he had constructed, the mass houses that he has given for the poor and I am not from Delta State. I am just an outsider looking over the walls of Delta State seeing the marvelous things. I myself I have never benefited one penny, so I am not motivated by money.
If you have not benefited then what influenced your decision to be a part of those of who stood for him in his trial at a time most people would have probably abandoned him?
The truth was that most people had abandoned him. I think that when your chips are down and you have an angle of politics in it, they must make sure that nobody goes. I was brought up in England, so I have this loyalty thing and I treasure relationship over money.
James Ibori has always been a dear friend and he is somebody that I treasure and I had to go there and protect him to the best of your ability as he would, if I was in the circumstances. And as I said, I have never benefited financially at all from James Ibori and I am happy to be able to come and say “hey, welcome back” with a hand shake and a cuddle hug because I have seen him in the prison.
There is still a valid Court of Appeal order that he should stand trial for the 170 charges the EFCC brought against him. Would you be surprised now if EFCC goes after him again?
I think the whole country would be disappointed, at a time where so many people are being charged and arrested, where does it stop? The man has just spent four and a half years of his life in almost solitary confinement in a difficult prison in London and I would think that we would now have to move on and let him have his life.
Do you think that the four and a half years he served in London is fair enough even though he may also have charges to face in Nigeria? Yes, he also has charges here to face, but of course, he has not been tried or convicted. I do not know how valid those cases are, it is quite easy to make accusations. Somebody has to stand up and say, this is what he has done, and prove it. If they can do that, then that is a different ball game. Then we have to open another chapter.
Femi Falana, in a TV interview, commented on Ibori receiving a hero’s welcome, he described it as a subversion of national morality and of national values and an action that would ridicule us in the comity of nations. Do you agree with that statement? I think that James Ibori has not been tried or convicted in Nigeria, this is a different country completely and that is why I said if he was tried and convicted in this country, then it is a different ball game. But as of today James Ibori is a free man, he has charges but he has not been tried or convicted, so he is innocent until proven guilty in this country.
At the moment James Ibori is somebody who has allegations on his head, that does not stop him from being liked, that does not stop him from being charismatic, that does not stop people wanting to meet him, or greeting people at home.
Have you seen him since he came back or do you want to see him? No, but oh yes, I would be delighted to meet with him and give him a bottle of non alcoholic wine. At the end of the day even if he was convicted, that does not stop my relationship or friendship with him or anybody. I have people who have made mistakes and have been sent to prison and I still go and see them. I do a lot of counseling in prison, I go to see prisoners even in London and see ways we can straighten out when they come out of prison.
Well he is a convicted criminal, yes he is, but in that case so are Obasanjo, Buhari and Major Hamza Mustapha. These are all people who have spent time in prison. So on that mark I do not think I am taking it too far because if we really have to take all the leaders who have taken money, and they were tried in London court, I assure you we would not have any leader