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419 Detainee, Hon Ibekwe, is Dead
By Abimbola Akosile

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Ribadu: We regret his loss
Counsel: Ibekwe, victim of judicial oppression

Honourable Maurice Ibe-kwe, re-elected House of Representatives member and former Chair-man, House Committee on Internal Security and police affairs, has died at the age of 41, from complications arising from kidney failure. His death was confirmed by hospital authorities yesterday.

Ibekwe, THISDAY checks revealed, died at exactly 12.25 am yesterday, while in coma at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he has been receiving treatment in the past two weeks, after having undergone earlier dialysis treatment at the Oshodi Medical Centre.

Before his death, Ibekwe, popularly called the "Tradi-tional Prime Minister of Okwele, Imo-State", was stan-ding trial alongside Augu-nous Okoro, a hotelier, for allegedly swindling a German businessman, Mr. Klaus Richard Munch of US$330,000 ten years ago, in a criminal charge No. ID/40c/2003, and is facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy with intent to defraud, an offence punishable under sections 419, 516, 472 (2) of the Criminal Code; to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Ibekwe had earlier urged the trial court at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja Division, presided over by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to order his immediate transfer from Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, where he was remanded, to the National Hospital, Abuja or any reliable hospital abroad, for treatment of his kidney ailment for a period of at least six months.

He had also sought, among other reliefs, a stay of proceedings in the ongoing case till his health would have improved sufficiently to enable his continue his trial; another court order for the Comptroller of Prisons, Lagos to obtain from the applicant's primary physician at LUTH, a medical certificate on his state of health every month, and to forward a copy of the certificate to the court.

However, in the ruling delivered by Justice Kekere-Ekun on Thursday, March 18, at the Ikeja Court, she granted only two of Ibekwe's four prayers, and changed the sick leave period from six months to six weeks. Kekere-Ekun had refused the applicant's request for stay of proceedings in the trial pending when he would recover from his illness.

Kekere-Ekun, in her ruling had noted, "I have considered the authorities of Effiom vs State wherein the Supreme Court cited the approval of its earlier pronouncement in the Ariori vs Elemo case. In the light of these authorities, and the need for the applicant to receive adequate medical attention for his ailment, I hold that a period of six weeks is a reasonable time to afford the applicant time to receive treatment for and recover from his illness and to attend to his trial".

She had also ordered the Comptroller of Prisons, Lagos to obtain from the applicant's primary physician at LUTH, a medical certificate on Ibekwe's state of health every two weeks from the date of the order, during the period of his confinement, and to forward a copy of the certificate to the court.

"The Comptroller is hereby ordered to take all necessary and relevant precautions for the safety of the applicant during the period of his confinement at LUTH", the judge stated. She then adjourned the case till May 4 and 5 at 12 noon, and May 6 at 9.00am for continuation of trial.

Speaking with THISDAY yesterday in an exclusive telephone chat, Mr. Ayo Olagunju, the Public Relations Officer of LUTH, had earlier expressed suprise at the news, and had made enquiries for confirmation.

"I have inquired and confirmed that indeed, Maurice Ibekwe died at the LUTH hospital at 12.25am this morning. He has been a patient at LUTH for two weeks now, undergoing treatment in intensive care. As I speak to you, his body is lying right now in our morgue", Olagunju revealed.

Concerning issues like actual cause of death, the PRO declined further information on basis of the type of case. "As you are aware, this case is very sensitive. I do not know much about the court case, but we will be able to speak more on it by Monday (tomorrow)", he stated. He however confirmed that prison officials and internal security personnel were with Ibekwe at the time of his death, though he could not ascertain their numbers.

Reacting to news of the law-maker's demise, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibekwe's main prosecutor in the on-going case; expressed shock and sadness at the 'unfortunate and tragic incident', and described it as an act of God.

"We regret the loss of Maurice Ibekwe, and we symphatise with his family, his colleagues at the National Assembly, and Nigeria as a whole. He died in lawful custody of prison authorities at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, where he was transferred to on the orders of the Court. The Court and EFCC did everything possible within the confines of law to handle properly and fairly the situation", Ribadu explained.

"It is most tragic and unfortunate, but nobody controls life. When time is up, there is nothing anyone can do. God controls life and takes it when He likes. We at EFCC did everything in our control to ensure we gave him the best at all times. He was given medical attention, he was taken to Military Hospital before and even availed the best medical service".

"The Court handled it well by giving order at the appropriate time for his treatment. Court gave transfer order at the last adjourned date and he was transferred to LUTH. We regret the loss of Maurice Ibekwe. My people were there at the hospital yesterday at 8.00 pm, but they were told he was in a coma", he further revealed.

The crime-fighting boss however insisted that the case would have been over by now if not for incessant delays brought about by different applications of the defense counsel.

"Ibekwe was only a suspect and not a convict. We only wanted to ensure justice was done on all sides. Justice for Nigeria, justice for Ibekwe, justice for EFCC and justice for the victim. Prosecution from the beginning of the case eight months ago, wanted a speedy trial. We wanted a speedy trial but defence never allowed it. If we had our way, the case would have been over by today, and it would have gone either way; either he would be found guilty or innocent of the charges".

"All means of frustrating the trial were employed at different times. We still believe '419'' is a big problem in Nigeria, which we must address and find a solution to. There is nothing personal, nothing out of the ordinary done in this case. Everything we did was in a quest to address the '419'' issue in Nigeria. It has done so much damage to us as a people", he lamented.

"We deeply regret the loss of Maurice Ibekwe, he was given medical attention. We symphatise with his family and colleagues once again. May his soul rest in peace", Ribadu concluded.

In a twist to the tale, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, counsel to Ibekwe before his death, described his client's death as the most untimely death he had ever seen, and accused the Court and EFCC of judicial oppression. "This death is most sad and untimely. Ibekwe had no kidney problem when he was arrested and first arraigned. My client is a victim of judicial oppression", he decried.

"He had applied for bail on grounds of ill health on several occasions, but he was denied because the court refused to believe him. They thought he was pretending and only joking. In a civilised country, they do not play with their citizens' lives like Nigeria just did. It is most sad", Ojo lamented.

It would be recalled that Morris Ibekwe was arrested on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 by the anti-fraud commission in connection with a so-called "419" scam. He was remanded in custody, along with three other suspects, by a court in Lagos; the first legislator to be arrested for financial crimes since the return of civilian government in 1999.

Chief Maurice Ibekwe, popularly called the 'Traditional Prime Minister of Okwele Imo-State' was re-elected as a ruling People's Democratic Party Representative from southern Imo State in the April 12, 2003, House of Representatives elections; represented Isiala-Mbano/Okigwe/Onuimo federal constituency in 1999-2003, and was Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Internal Security.

He was also a member of the Imo State delegation to the 1995 Constitutional Conference under late General Sanni Abacha, and he was an early supporter of "Orji Kalu for President" to run against President Obasanjo. Until his death, Ibekwe was the founder/CEO of Okwelle Holdings.

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$242m Scam: Anajemba's Kids Appeal for Her Release

This Day (Lagos)

Abimbola Akosile
Lagos

Say her health has deteriorated badly

Amaka Anajemba, who is being remanded along with Chief Emmanuel Nwude, Emmanuel Ofule, Mr. Nzeribe Edeh Okoli, and Barrister Obum Osakwe, for allegedly defrauding a Brazilian banker, Nelson Sakaguchi, of $242 million over a period of three years, couldn't have foreseen the end of what her dead husband began.


Fine, opinions may vary on the punishment to be meted out for any crime committed, but does Amaka really warrant her continued incarceration, despite her deteriorating health?

On Friday, February 5, 2004, the five accused persons were arraigned bef-ore a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, on 86-count charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Comm-ission (EFCC), to which they pleaded not guilty.

On March 24, 2004, following the death in detention of a member of the House of Representative, Hon. Maurice Ibekwe, over his alleged involvement in a 419 scam, Justice Lawal Gunmi, the Chief Judge of Abuja, said the judiciary would not let suspects in the $242 million bank scam die in prison. He promised to liaise with counsels to all the parties to ensure that an expeditious trial was conducted.

His words: "The death of Maurice Ibekwe is not good for the image of the judiciary and as a result, I might be consulting with counsels to all parties in this matter to ensure expeditious trial. We want this case to be tried within the quickest possible time. This is because we do not want a repeat of such a tragic experience".

That was at the resumed hearing of the trial of Nwude, Amaka Anajemba and other suspects, standing trial for allegedly defrauding and grinding to halt a Brazilian bank. Gunmi's comments followed fears expressed by Nwude's Counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), that the health of the accused was deteriorating in custody. The presiding judge adjourned the matter to April 20, to rule on the jurisdictional issue.

Mrs Anajemba's failing health is much more serious of all the accused persons', prompting the question if with her continued protestations of ill-health and urgent need for medical treament, she should not be allowed medical attention and avoid a situation of deliberately allowing another crime suspect to die in prison.

According to Mr. Chinedu Chidiebere, Amaka's younger brother, "we the members of the family are not happy about her detention for a crime allegedly committed by her husband just because she is naturally to inherit the husband's property. Those, who came tried to extort money from her, after settling all the written and known debts of the late husband".

Also, in an open and published letter to Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, some eight concerned citizens had taken the EFCC Chairman to task over the continued detention of Amaka Anajemba, despite her deteriorating health.

"That the augean stables in relation to financial crimes need to be cleaned is not in dispute, and your mission in this direction has become a source of pride for all patriotic Nigerians, including us. Be that as it may, we are particularly disturbed by the news of arrest and detention of an innocent widow and mother of four little children for a crime she had persistently denied ever committing.

"With due respect, we will like to know or find out from you, where it is stated in our statute book, penal code or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for a widow to be arrested and detained for a crime allegedly committed by her husband.

"Is Mrs. Anajemba vicariously being punished for the 'sins' of another person, even if that person happened to be her husband? Or has it now become a crime for a widow to inherit her late husband's property?", the group asked, claiming that the continued detention of Amaka Anajemba on account of a crime allegedly committed by someone else was not only a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights, but also a denial of the rights by extension of four little innocent children the affection and services of their only surviving parent and mother.

To them, these little children and their mother do not deserve this punishment.

"Mrs. Anajemba is only a victim of certain powerful individuals and groups, who failed in their attempts to extort money from her and now recourse to the use of the EFCC to complete their vendetta.

"Sir, we implore you to guard jealously the credibility of the Commission, which you preside over, by not allowing it to be hijacked or used by those unscrupulous elements to settle scores with their opponent(s) or business competitors, like the case of the Anajemba widow", they had told Ribadu.

Unfortunately, Ikechukwu Anajemba, 36, husband of the detained woman, died in 1998 while returning from his home town, Ogidi. He was waylaid and shot by assassins at a spot between Amawbia junction and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Enugu.

Amaka Anajemba was a full time housewife, a secondary school certificate holder, who never did any work even when her husband included her name as director in one of the companies allegedly used to dupe the Brazilian Banker, Nelson Sagakuchi.

Amaka is blessed with four little daughters with the eldest, Ada Anajemba, 13 years, in a private secondary school. The second daughter, Zomi Anajemba, 11 years, is also in a private secondary school. Odinaka Anajemba, the third child, who is aged eight years old, is in a private primary school while the last of the children, Obianama Anajemba, aged four years, is in a private nursery school in Enugu.

The children are presently being taken care of by a nanny with friends, brothers and her well-wishers since the beginning of her ordeal in the hands of the EFCC.

The children, who are not left out in the plea to have their mother let off, also added their voices:"My name is Ada Anajemba. I am 13 years old and I am in a private primary school. I learnt that police arrested my mother and that the Federal Government wants to deal with her. I don't know what she has done. Please, help beg the government to release our mother.

"Me and my younger ones are suffering. We want to see our mother.

"My name is Zomi Anajemba. I am 11 years old. Please, government should leave our mother alone.

"I am Odinaka Anajemba. I am eight years old. Where is our mother? Let her come home. I miss her".

The growing call for Mrs. Anajemba's release is not surprising as she is known to be involved in many philanthropic activities. She had provided street lights in her Achi village, and were being powered by her electricity generating sets, constructed three water boreholes for the use of the community, awarded scholarships, covering primary, secondary and university education to children of the needy, with about 779 children as beneficiaries.

The young widow was said also to be providing Nl00,000 monthly grants to 10 motherless babies' homes, played prominent roles in the activities of the National Association of Nigeria Widows (NANW) and the Women's Rights League. These were outside other activities and bodies she participarted in their affairs and funded.

The effects of Amaka Anajemba's continued incarceration have been far-reaching, with dire consequences on her husband's businesses and her family life. Eight companies under the Godax Group of Companies owned by Ikechukwu have folded up, following the freezing of their accounts by the EFCC.

Consequently, the over 2,700 work-force of the companies have been rendered jobless. They are now suffering with some of them, reporting at the companies without doing anything.

Mr. Emeka Alukwu, administrative officer in one of the companies, lamented: "I am an Administrative Officer in one of Madam's companies. I joined the company, Filmcas, in 1995. That was before Chief Ikechukwu Anajemba died. I had been working and sustaining myself and my family since until the present problem.

"They said Madam's Oga was involved in fraud. Why pick Madam then? Since Madam's problem started with the EFCC, things have been difficult for us the workers. We have not been doing anything because we learnt that government has frozen the accounts of the companies. Please, beg government to release Madam, or at least grant her bail so that she can look after the companies", the workers and her children appealed.

The plea of Mrs. Angemba's family and workers is that the EFCC should do something to effect her release as long as nothing can directly be proved against her in the acclaimed $242m scam. Particularly on grounds of her ill-health, they pleaded that she was released.

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