Delta Defends Payment Of Entitlements To Ex- Gov. Ibori

Delta State Government, South south Nigeria on Wednesday, defended the payment of pension entitlement to former governor of the State, James Ibori and his deputy.

Ibori ruled Delta State between 1999 and 2007 under the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Defending the action in a release signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, the State government faulted the claim by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the payment of the pension entitlements of the former governor was illegal and unconstitutional.

The state had filed a motion seeking the return of the $15 million allegedly paid as bribe to former chairman of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu by  Ibori.

The anti-graft agency had in its additional affidavit alleged that if the $15 million is paid to the Delta State Government, it will be paid back to  Ibori. It further alleged that money was paid to the former governor for the furnishing of his house and for his pension.

According to the release, the state government followed due process and relevant laws before making the payment owing to the fact that no courts in the land had declared the eight-year tenure of Ibori and his deputy illegal.

“The truth is that like every other elected governor who had served the State, Chief Ibori was paid his pension entitlement and other benefits alongside his deputy under existing State law, that is, the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Law 2005 and the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Law 2009”.

“As can be seen, there is no iota of illegality in the payments made to Chief Ibori as it was made under approved budget and paid to the beneficiaries through their designated bank accounts in Nigeria after following due process. This clarification is necessary so that the media do not input illegality or improper motive for an act done pursuant to a statute”.

“It should also be noted that Chief Ibori’s tenure as governor of Delta State has not been annulled by any court of law and he is legitimately entitled to the pension and other benefits received under the law” the statement said.

Source: Daily Independent