Few days after making startling revelations about former Delta state governor, James Ibori and how he demanded $4.5 million bribe from him to successfully run Econet in Nigeria (read here), Strive Masiyiwa, the chairman of the telecommunication company, shared another part of his bitter encounter with Ibori. According to a new post on his Facebook wall, Masiyiwa said he was called upon by UK courts to testify against Ibori in London which he said he did without hesitation.
Corruption
often involves very sophisticated bankers and lawyers in Western
financial centers. When corruption happens in Nigeria, or any other
African country, it usually also happens at the same time with at least
one accomplice on the other side of the world, whether in London,
Geneva, or the like.
The
London lawyer Bhadresh Gohil, who I wrote about in my last post, is
just one of scores of international advisors who handle the
sophisticated movement of money in the world, in this case the money
stolen from the Nigerian people and hidden in overseas bank accounts.
___When you choose financial or legal advisors, choose very wisely. Your very life could depend on it.
When
Mr Gohil and other family and associates of Delta State governor James
Ibori were arrested in London, I was asked by the British government to
be a state witness in their trial. I agreed without hesitation.
Being
a witness in such a case is not easy. It meant that I had to stop
working for several weeks and just focus on preparation to give
evidence. I knew I would be grilled in an open court by expensive
defense lawyers who would try to challenge my integrity.
I was told that many potential witnesses had declined to give evidence in open court out of fear.
Not me!
I
headed to England as a "Witness to Her Majesty's Government." For me
personally, I went as a "witness on behalf of the people of Nigeria and
Africa." It was my duty.
A
witness can help ensure justice is done. Solid evidence is crucial in
ensuring the truth is heard and that the rule of law is upheld. Without
witness testimony, criminals can operate with impunity, one of the
greatest threats to Africa’s future.
What
is impunity? It basically means evil actions have no legal
consequences. As a result, criminals are allowed to stay busy committing
their crimes, knowing they can get away with it without punishment.
___A culture of impunity endangers the prospects for prosperity and security in Africa in every imaginable way.
Mr
Ibori's wife, his sister, and his mistress, who each had each received
money from the sale of the shares in V-Mobile (which were assets of the
people of Nigeria), were also arrested in London and were sentenced to
five years in prison.
My written witness statements were submitted and I prepared to appear in court to be cross-examined.
The
night before I was due to take the stand in an open London court as
witness for the state, I was told Mr Gohil and his associates had
suddenly pleaded guilty. My lawyers told me that my witness statement
was too strong and Mr Gohil and his team were afraid they would get even
stiffer sentences!
In
late 2010, Mr Gohil was sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison for
crimes including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to make false
instruments, money laundering and proceeds of crime. The sentencing
judge said to him, "You were a solicitor of the Supreme Court and
holding out as a man of integrity... You have brought shame on your
family, your profession and your country.”
When
corrupt people like this get into trouble, they often pay some of the
best lawyers in the world to help them get out of it. Taking them on
successfully requires authorities equally determined and sophisticated
in their approach. These authorities in turn need the cooperation of
witnesses prepared to stand in court and help with the prosecution.
