By Our Reporter
The Delta State Government said that the pension and other benefits it paid to former Governor, James Ibori, are his statutory entitlements.
This is contained in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, in Asaba on Wednesday.
The government said that the same entitlements also accrued to the former Deputy Governor, Benjamin Elue.
It stated that the clarification became necessary in view of an affidavit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the issue.
The “additional affidavit,” according to the statement, is made by EFCC in the case involving the $15 million allegedly paid to the former Chairman of the commission, Nuhu Ribadu, by Ibori.
The government explained that the payment of pension and other benefits to an elected former governor and deputy in the state was within the ambits of an existing law in the state.
It stated that the tenure of Ibori as governor of the state was not annulled by any court, adding that he was, therefore, entitled to benefits as provided by the law of the state.
“The truth is that like every other elected governor who had served the state, Ibori was paid his pension entitlement and other benefits alongside his deputy under existing law.
The laws are: “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 Ibori as it was made under approved budget and paid to the beneficiaries through their designated bank accounts in Nigeria after following due process.
“It should also be noted that Ibori’s tenure as governor of Delta has not been annulled by any court of law and he is legitimately entitled to the pension and other benefits received under the law,” the information commissioner said.
NAN