N50MILLION PAID INTO IBORI'S ACCOUNT IS LEGAL- EFCC

Delta State Government has said the N50 million paid into the account
of the state former governor, Chief James Ibori, was his pension
entitlements and other benefits, which are very legal.


The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, who stated
this Wednesday in a statement, said it was imperative to explain the
additional affidavit filed by the Economic and Finacial Crime
Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, opposing the
state's application to collect $15 million Ibori bribe money.


The EFCC, in its additional affidavit, alleged that if the $15 million
was paid tothe Delta State Government, it would be paid back to Ibori.
It further alleged that the money was paid to the former governor for
the furnishing of his house and for his pension.


But, Ogeah stated that "no allegation of illegally was made against
Delta State Government by the EFCC, 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'stenure as governor of Delta
State has notbeen annulled by any court of law and he is legitimately
entitled to the pension and other benefits received under the law,"
adding that this serves "to clarify the misrepresentation of facts
by some sections of the media."