Former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, on Sunday declared that he is not a thief.
He made the declaration during a thanksgiving service organised in his honour in Oghara, his hometown.
He disclosed that while in prison in the United Kingdom, UK, his biggest concern was how his people were coping with his absence.
According to Ibori “I am not a thief and cannot be a thief”.
The church service, which was held at the First Baptist Church, Oghara, was organised by the community to thankGod for the release of Ibori from a United Kingdom prison, where he had served almost five years after conviction for money laundry charges.
The service had many political associates and followers of the former governor present. Among those at the event were the immediate past governor of the state, who is also a cousin of Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Festus Ovie-Agas, Senators Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Patric Osakwe and Ighoyota Amori.
Others were members of the Delta state executive and legislative arms of government, including the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Hon Monday Igbuya and daughter of Chief Ibori, who is a member of the legislature; Erhiateake Ibori. Traditional rulers present included the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, Noble Eshemitan and the Pere of Akegbene-Mein Kingdom, Pere Kalanama VII.
Some artistes who graced the church service were Ras Kimono, Orits Wiliki and Ras Father.
Ibori was convicted by a UK court after pleading guilty to money laundering charges in 2014.
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