Big Thief

Grimot Nane Zine

James Ibori’s Guaranteed Innocence and the Blessing of Tribalism in Nigeria

When I read the article titled ‘The Welcome Party for Ibori’ by Simon Kolawole, it was thought-provoking journalism considering the context of Delta State’s ex-Governor, James Ibori’s much-celebrated release from Belmarsh Prison, London, England. Many Nigerians mostly see Ibori’s celebrated release by mostly people from his home state of Delta as a national disgrace and most rightly so. However, when you consider Nigeria’s history of convictions for corruption, many who complain about Ibori’s smug prison release may simply be tribalists who would do the same if “their man” was convicted and eventually released. The real crushing national disgrace for Nigeria is that it still cannot convict her Big Thieves in her courts and rely on foreign governments to convict “selected” offenders. Yet, Nigeria celebrates Independence. (more…)

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Grimot Nane Zine

Nigeria is Fighting Corruption Unthinkingly

The Government of Nigeria’s (GON) decision to somewhat expediently ‘fight corruption by scandal’ is by far the most inappropriate way to do so and shall end in abject failure. Unsurprisingly, the Big Thieves in Nigeria are the top beneficiaries of ‘anti-corruption by scandal-making’ adopted by the GON. The current $2.1 billion “Sambo Scandal” and others simply have the contrary effect of legitimising the ‘money sharing antics’ of the named culprits, arming their lawyers with legal “technicalities” and frustrating Nigerians with leaked allegations in the absence of formal prosecutions and convictions. (more…)

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Will Bombing Big Thieves Do the Trick?

Will Bombing Big Thieves Do the Trick?

Will Bombing Big Thieves Do the Trick?

Nations cannot bomb crimes out of existence as the Government of Nigeria seems to think and practice. When purely criminal or illegal activities are committed and perpetuated in a society during peace times and they have no military or genocidal implications, ‘policing’ is the proper line of action, at least in a democracy. (more…)

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Nigeria's Big Thieves and Small Thieves

Nigeria’s Big Thieves and Small Thieves

Nigeria’s Big Thieves and Small Thieves.

“We hang the petty thieves & appoint the great ones to public office” – Aesop. Was Aesop not discussing Nigeria? #UniPortFour – 11 Oct 2012

I sent the tweet above in reaction to the broadcast. It was of the lynching to death by inferno of four University of Port Harcourt students alleged to have stolen a mobile phone. It was a major international embarrassment, even though the international press did not run with it. Shortly afterwards, there was another broadcast. This time of a girl accused of stealing a Blackberry phone in a market in Lagos having a phone shoved up her vagina! On the other hand, politicians and bureaucrats that are accused of stealing millions and billions of dollars from state coffers become more popular and powerful in the country. (more…)

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