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As Nigerian security agencies struggle to effect the
arrest of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, some civil
society groups yesterday pledged to assist the agencies to effect the
arrest.

The groups, under the auspices of the Transition
Monitoring Group (TMG) condemned the refusal of Mr. Ibori to hand over
himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and
pledged to mobilise their members across Nigeria to provide information
on Mr. Ibori’s whereabouts.

“The fact that James Ibori was declared wanted by
security operatives on the alleged scam does not mean that he has been
found guilty of the offence. Hence, it is shameful that he is refusing
to show up for interrogation, despite his consistent claims that he is
innocent,” the TMG said in a statement signed by its chairman, Mashood
Erubami, and secretary, Auwal Rafsanjani.

“Definitely, he must have some skeletons in his
cupboard. TMG and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria are therefore,
poised to use their networks to join hands with EFCC and security
operatives to intensify their search for his arrest and prosecution.”

Meanwhile, the counsel to the Delta State Elders,
Leaders & Stakeholders Forum (DSELSF), Kayode Ajulo, and the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have called on security agencies to
leave no stone unturned in their drive to arrest the fugitive
politician. Mr. Ajulo specifically blamed the police for the fiasco at
Oghara last week.

The TMG also condemned the actions of the police while trying to arrest Mr. Ibori.

“We detest the uncoordinated gestapo style of the
police operatives in the arrest saga, deploying a detachment of
policemen, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police and the
Commissioner with tens of other policemen to arrest a single suspect.
One would have expected that plain security operatives would have been
on ground to carryout surveillance on the area and the suspect before
the arrival of the police detachment,” the group said.

Police to blame

While condemning the actions of militant youths of
Ogara, Mr. Ibori’s hometown, who prevented his arrest by men of the
Nigeria Police Force, the TMG asked the Federal Government to commence
steps to freeze the former governor’s account.

“As a matter of urgency, Government should consider
seeking courts injunction in freezing all his bank accounts and
confiscate all his alleged illegally acquired assets to cripple him
financially,” the group stated. “When arrested, James Ibori should be
charged for declaring war against the state in addition to the crimes
he is being sought for. It is only the arrest and prosecution of James
Ibori that can make Nigeria to retain its respect in the committee of
nations.”

According to Mr. Ajulo, the Deputy Inspector General
of Police that led the team that had visited Mr. Ibori’s home should be
blamed and questioned for having not carried out the exercise
professionally.

“The DIG must be blamed if Ibori truly disappeared.
Once a court signed a warrant of arrest, it is obligatory for everybody
to ensure its execution. The DIG acted unprofessionally. Why did the
police first ordered the withdrawal of police guiding Ibori? What
stopped them from just asking the same police to come with their
charge?” Mr. Ajulo said.

The APGA, speaking in Lagos, advised the EFCC not to
relent in its efforts to bring Mr. Ibori to book. Nkem Lemchi, the
secretary of the state chapter of the APGA, alleged that Mr. Ibori had
committed a crime against the nation and its people and needed to come
out to answer for it.

“The issue is that this man has committed a crime
against the nation and its people. He should at least come out to
answer for it,” he said. “Ibori should subject himself, instead of
creating barricade that will not solve the problem. If he has nothing
to hide as an individual, he should subject himself to any arrest.
After all, no man is above the law.” he said.

Leader in hiding

Mr. Ibori, one of the 15 national elders of the
ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was declared wanted by the EFCC
over his refusal to appear before the commission. He was summoned to
respond to several allegations, based on ongoing investigations by the
EFCC, including his use of Delta State’s shares in Oceanic Bank to pay
for a personal loan of 44 billion naira he collected from
Intercontinental Bank while he was governor.

The former governor, who has twice been convicted of theft and
possession of stolen materials in England in the early 1990’s, is also
wanted for money laundering by British authorities. His arrest by men
of the Nigerian Police last week Tuesday was repelled by armed youths
in his hometown of Ogara, Delta State. He is still believed to be
hiding there, although some media reports claim he has escaped to Dubai.