Kayode Ogundamisi, a former O’dua Peoples Congress Secretary General, has queried President Bola Tinubu for hosting James Ibori.
Ibori, a former governor of Delta state, visited Tinubu alongside Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers, and Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, on Friday, June 2.
On February 27, 2012, accused of stealing $250 million from the Nigerian public purse, Ibori pleaded guilty to ten counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud at Southwark Crown Court, London.
On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Ibori was sentenced to 13 years by Southwark Crown Court for his crimes.
He was released from prison in December 2016 after a court order. He served four years of the 13 years to which he was sentenced.
Ogundamisi, a political commentator and a former scribe of the University of Jos Students’ Union noted that it was wrong for Tinubu to grant audience to Ibori.
He wrote in a tweet: “Tinubu is already hosting Convicted Master Rogue James Ibori in Aso Rock? UK Petty Thief Ibori who eventually became one of Nigeria’s richest men, received a 13-year jail sentence in 2012 after admitting fraud of nearly £50 Million. What message is Tinubu sending?”
Jeremiah Adetunji, a blockchain expert, responded by saying:
“This should not surprise many of us. Birds of a feather flock together. Simple. If you don’t understand the proverb, it means people of the same sort or with the same tastes and interests will be found together.”
Oye Oyedokun, a historian, had another idea. He wrote:
“Mr Ogundamisi, President Tinubu is sending the same message every politician would send. No permanent friend, no permanent enemy in politics. It’s all politics.”
Abeeb Musa’s response had a religious undertone. He wrote:
“This shouldn’t be an issue to be honest. After sins upon sins, God still accepts us back into His light. Convicts should be given the chance to integrate into the society without any limitations to avoid stigma. That’s the essence of true democracy. After all, he paid for his crime.”
