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Ibori Loot: Who Should Benefit?
There have been mixed reactions as the British government resolved last week to return to Nigeria the sum of $4.2 million (N2.2 billion) funds allegedly recovered from the account of friends and families of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori. The issue being debated around the towns and cities of the country is whether the recovered fund should be used by the Federal Government to facilitate projects or given to Delta State Government, since it was originally allocated to the oil-rich state.
A similar incident is that of late military ruler, General Sanni Abacha’s Swiss refund of $320 million.
There is this argument that since the recovered fund was from the governor of a particular state, then the alleged looted fund belonged to the state since he was the custodian of the state.But another group said that since the fund was released from the Federal Government, then the alleged crime was committed against the Federal Government, moreover the federal is instrumental to the recovery of the looted funds from the UK Government, the Federal Government should benefit.
It is surprising to hear how funds are being carted away from public purse perhaps not directly from those who are in charge of the funds but by their cronies through dubious means. Yet when an ordinary person goes for transactions which involve little funds in the banks, he will be mandated to present regulatory identity cards. Why do the financial institutions note query the source of huge sums deposited in their custody?
Even in the foreign banks where those money are deposited, they don’t scrutinise the account holders bearing in mind that such funds cannot belong to an individual. These are heavy financial crimes involving millions, billions and even trillions that should be used to improve citizens’ lives and then only a few will be in possession depriving others from partaking of it.
Whether the Federal Government or Delta State benefits from the refund, when utilised maximally, must be for the good of all Nigerians.These are not the only cases of looted funds to be recovered, but there are so many that are not announced publicly. Citizens should always speak out on issues like these that bother on people’s welfare.
It is unfortunate that funds that should be used in developing projects that have direct bearing on the masses as well as job creation will be diverted by individuals through any means. The most disturbing aspect of it is that it is the commonwealth of all Nigerians.
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Ajuri Ngelale, had in an interview with journalists, confirmed that the fund would be used to facilitate the 2nd Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Kano projects.
He said it was a federal crime that has to do with federal law since the money was taken outside the country and advised that people should not be sentimental about it.
A motivational speaker, Pastor Ikenna Ogbuehi, said it is a crime committed against the Federal Government and should be remitted to the federal purse.
Uchenna Chidiadi, a pharmacist, said it will be inappropriate to use the money which was appropriated to a state for the generality of Nigerians. While referring to former Military Head of State, late Abacha’s recovered loot, he said that was a federal fund.
He said that can be shared the normal way federal government allocation is done and advised that the Ibori fund should be returned to Delta State since it would have been raised from internally generated revenue (IGR) or the state’s allocation.
According to a legal practitioner, Efe Odide,the crime committed is a federal crime because the money was taken out of the country and that is why the money was remitted to the federal authority, although it was taken from a state.
A health safety officer, Uduak Udom, said persons who commit such crimes should be arrested and punished, regardless of political affiliation and sentiments, to deter those currently serving from looting public fund. He advised the current Delta State Government to seek some percentage of the fund from the Federal Government.
A social analyst, Mike Obi, said persons who commit such crimes should be set free because they are the products of the society.He referred to the Biblical quotation of training up of a child in the way he should go and claimed that if the child were to be comfortable from the beginning, he would not steal.
An evangelist, Peter Paul, said it is an oppression for federal government to use Delta State money to develop other parts of the country. He insisted that there may be more loot recoveries after this and advised the Federal Government to tackle this particular issue well so that reasonable impact can be made. According to him, citizens are more divided now than before to the extent that when national issues come up, people handle them from the political, ethnic and religious angles.
In the views of Ndiwem Onyedi, a businessman, people must realise that elected office or appointment should be seen as opportunity to serve and not to enrich themselves.He pointed out that nowadays, students abandon schooling for elective positions and added that even those who specialise in various professions have abandoned such for politics.
Onyedi said, as a younger person, he only saw retired public servants contesting even as councillors.
A teacher, Nathan Edu, said since the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, had served prison term in the United Kingdom, he does not deserve any other punishment.
A businessman, James Okoro, emphasised that nobody was above the law and so should be punished if found wanting. He regretted that when a common man commits any crime the punishment comes swiftly.
Njideka Nathaniel asked: “How can a person who is above 60 years be stealing government money? You don’t sit down and ask yourself, how many years remaining for me to eat up this money? They loot the money and keep it for their children”.
A car dealer, Elijah Ejike, said that those who involve in that kind of fraud should be served capital punishment because, according to him, they are the reason why so many people are impoverished and dying of starvation.
In the words of a financial expert, Nonso Nnamani, looted funds should be returned to the rightful owners. As he put it, this is the fund that was originally allocated to Delta State by a bill passed by the National Assembly in the budget that is a law. The money should be returned to the state.
He made reference to a report that the money would be used to fund three federal projects – Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Kano projects and advised that Delta State should not be denied the money.
According to him, “Why are you sending the money to other zones. A precedence has been set. When Bayelsa lost their money, it was returned to them. When Plateau lost theirs, it was returned to them. Why is this an exception?”
An enterpreneur, Patricia Bassey, said the money should be returned to the state from where it was stolen. Before now according to her, the Federal Government must have got other funds to facilitate those projects. She wondered what would have happened if the Ibori loot wasn’t recovered. Wouldn’t they have carried out projects?
Her words: “Anyone found looting public fund should be prosecuted. It will serve as a deterrent to others, they will get to know that if you steal from your country even after serving a jail term outside your country, when you get back home, you will be punished. Some persons are thinking that they can engage in crime and get away with it, it is unacceptable. Let the law take its course while the offender faces the jail term.”
Perhaps why this is creating so much argument is that it is crossing borders, it is an international issue which concerns the federal government.
For those who are defrauding business partners, siphoning public funds, pensioners’ funds, among others, it is the commonwealth of the nation that is being stolen.
People should be law-abiding in their dealings as regards business and as public officers. A situation where funds meant for public use will be diverted to private purposes should be discouraged.
Interestingly, the money is going to benefit people who live in the region, especially Niger Bridge and its environs. Sometimes looters would always apologise and return part or the entire loot while in office. As a matter of fact, perpetrators of such acts should be punished because when these funds are removed, the citizens are deprived of the benefits. These funds are so huge that they can be used to provide social amenities.
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Fubara Pledges Support For Corporate Organisations In Rivers …Says PPP Business Model Responsible For NLNG’s Success
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged the continued support of his administration for the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
Fubara gave the assurance while receiving the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NLNG, Mr Adeleye Falade, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He assured that his administration would continue to contribute its own quota in support of the NLNG.
According to him, the success of the organisation is equally the success of the government of Rivers State and the success of the Federal Government.
“Our duty is to make sure that we support whoever is operating in our state. We are the ones here. If we don’t support you and you don’t succeed, we also will not succeed and Mr President will also not succeed.
“So, the success of your establishment is the success of our state, and overall success of Nigeria. So you can count on our support. Wherever you think we need to come in to support you, please do not hesitate to call upon us.
“You just mentioned here that your predecessor left a handover note showcasing the level of support that he got from the state. It is not going to be different in your own case. I can assure you that. I will also ensure that other units of the government will liaise with you when necessary. So even if you can’t get to me, you can always get to them and if there is anything we can do to help your establishment succeed, we will do it for you,” he said.
The governor attributed the success of the NLNG to the Public Private Partnership ( PPP) business model adopted by the Federal Government and the multinational oil companies.
The NLNG is jointly owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with 49%, Shell Gas B.V. with 25.6%, Total LNG Nigeria Ltd with 15%, and Eni International with 10.4%.
The partnership model allows for shared risks, costs, and expertise in the LNG sector.
The governor noted that the NLNG has not only survived the difficult business environment but has made sustained progress in the nearly three decades of its existence.
According to him, the decision of the Federal Government to allow the multinational oil companies who have the needed expertise to run the establishment while government plays a supervisory role over it has largely been responsible for its success.
“I’m very proud to say that if there is one establishment that has shown resilience, that has survived in the face of all the political issues prevalent in this country, it is the NLNG. And what is the reason? The reason is very simple. Government has no business in business. That is the truth. Leave the business for those people who can operate it. Let the government play its supervisory role to ensure that there is compliance with the laws; ensure that standards are maintained and also ensure that the right people with the needed expertise are at the helm of affairs. That’s all. I think that is the reason why we still record a lot of successes in NLNG,” he said.
In his opening remark, the new NLNG boss, Mr Adeleye Falade, who led other top officials of the company on the visit, expressed appreciation to the governor for granting them audience, and appealed to the State Government to continue to support the organisation.
“We appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and deepen this important relationship.We deeply value the support the Rivers State Government continues to extend in fostering an enabling operating environment for businesses. NLNG remains deliberate in its contribution to Nigeria’s development, and Rivers State, our primary host, continues to be central to that commitment,” he said.
Falade said the company has continued to work with its host communities to strengthen their capacity to identify, prioritise, and deliver sustainable development initiatives that create lasting impact.
According to him, communities including Amadi-ama, Abua, Ekpeye, Okrika, Kalabari, and Emohua have continued to benefit from this model.
He said that beyond community infrastructure, the NLNG has sustained investments in economic empowerment through initiatives such as Vocational Innovation and Business Empowerment Scheme (VIBES) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) schemes.
These, he said, were designed to support small businesses, build capacity, and stimulate local enterprise across the state.
Among officials of the company who accompanied the Managing Director were General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr Sophia Horsfall; Manager, Government Relations, Mr Abdul Umar; Manager, Community Relations, Dr. Yemi Adeyemi; Head of Government Relations, Mr Mike Igoni; Head of Community Liaison and Engagement, Chief Ifeanyi Umeh.
Others are Technical Assistant to Executive Leadership, Mr Hassan Saleh; Senior Media and Publicity Advisor, Mr Emma Nwatu; Government Relations Advisor, Miss Homa Nmegbu; Senior Government Relations Advisor, Mrs Kate Allison, and Audio -Visual Advisor, Mr Dawood Ahmed.
The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians and the international community of the country’s stability following a recent advisory by the United States authorising the departure of non-emergency personnel from its embassy in Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in a statement issued yesterday by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.
According to the minister, public institutions across the country remain fully operational, with no disruption to governance, economic activities, or daily life.
This followed the decision of the United States Mission in Nigeria to suspend visa appointments at its Embassy in Abuja.
The mission’s decision was contained in a post shared on its official X handle, yesterday.
It stated, “U.S. Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Applicants should check their email for details on rescheduled appointments.”
The mission, however, clarified that visa operations at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos remain ongoing.
The development comes amid a broader security advisory issued by the United States, which authorised the departure of non-emergency staff from its Abuja embassy and expanded its Nigeria travel blacklist to 23 states.
The State Department issued the authorised departure order on Tuesday, alongside an updated travel advisory that added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to its highest warning category, “Do Not Travel.”
While the overall advisory rating for Nigeria remains at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” the department warned that some areas face increased risks due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping and limited healthcare availability.
According to the advisory, Americans are often targeted for kidnapping and robbery, while terrorist attacks continue to pose a threat across multiple locations, including markets, religious centres, hotels and public gatherings.
It also raised concerns about the state of emergency healthcare in the country, noting that hospitals often require immediate cash payments, ambulance services are unreliable and poorly equipped, and blood supply systems are inconsistent.
Medical facilities in Nigeria, the advisory said, generally do not meet United States or European standards, adding that evacuation may be necessary in medical emergencies.
The advisory further urged US citizens in Nigeria to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme, avoid large gatherings, vary their routines and maintain evacuation plans that do not depend on US government assistance.
It also recommended that individuals establish “proof of life” protocols with family members in the event of kidnapping.
The blacklist is divided into regional clusters. Borno, Kogi, Yobe and northern Adamawa remain under the terrorism, crime and kidnapping category, with the State Department warning that terrorist groups continue to plan and carry out attacks, sometimes in collaboration with local gangs.
For Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara, the advisory points to widespread banditry, communal clashes and kidnapping, while noting that security operations may occur without warning.
In the South-East and Niger Delta, states including Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) are flagged for crime, kidnapping and civil unrest, with armed gangs and violent protests posing significant risks.
The latest update added Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba to the “Do Not Travel” list, citing the spread of insecurity into new regions, particularly in the Middle Belt where farmer-herder conflicts have intensified.
The advisory described the security situation in these newly added states as unstable and unpredictable, with counter-operations by security forces likely to occur without prior notice.
Idris, however, described the US advisory as a routine precaution based on internal protocols, stressing that it does not reflect the overall security situation in the country.
“While we acknowledge isolated security challenges in some areas, there is no general breakdown of law and order, and the vast majority of the country remains stable,” Idris said.
He noted that ongoing security operations have recorded measurable gains across several regions, attributing the progress to coordinated military efforts, intelligence-led interventions, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
“Our security agencies remain actively engaged in protecting lives and property, and the results of these efforts are increasingly evident,” he added.
According to the minister, recent operations have disrupted criminal networks, curtailed the activities of armed groups, and improved safety in vulnerable communities.
Idris also maintained that Nigeria remains open for business, travel, and investment, adding that ongoing economic reforms are strengthening investor confidence and enhancing the country’s global standing.
He said, “International partners and investors continue to engage actively with Nigeria, reflecting confidence in the country’s stability and long-term prospects.”
The minister urged foreign governments to ensure that their advisories reflect current realities and ongoing progress in the country.
“We encourage our international partners to continuously engage with Nigerian authorities to obtain a more comprehensive and current understanding of the situation on the ground,” he said.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to sustaining security improvements and ensuring the safety of citizens and visitors, assuring that Nigeria remains a safe and welcoming destination.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.