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Upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a British Airways flight from London, the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, was taken to the office of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he was questioned and released.
Explaining why he was picked up, the Director-General of the DSS, Lawal Daura said, “He met me for a short debriefing session and the way forward. We also met to welcome him back to his fatherland. We are also meeting soon to discuss issues of interest affecting the nation.’’

Meanwhile, Oghara, the hometown of the former governor, yesterday stood still for the home-coming of the man, fondly called the “Lion of Africa” by his people. Shops were closed, just as commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, and motorists went round the town in jubilation.
The embattled former governor arrived Nigeria yesterday morning after serving four, out of a 13-year jail term in Britain for money laundering, amounting to $250million. He was sentenced in April, 2012 by the Southwark Crown Court, but was released in December 2016, following a court order. Several of his assets were confiscated after the conviction.
Daily Trust on Sunday further gathered that Ibori immediately left for Oghara in Ethiope Local Government Area through the Benin Airport in Edo State. He arrived Benin on a chartered aircraft with registration number IZY 5N112Zy, with 10 passengers on board. He arrived Oghara at 2:30pm, leaving the mammoth crowd awaiting his arrival at the Osubi airstrip stranded. As early as 9am, the crowd had besieged Osubi airport to await the return of the former governor. But they were disappointed as he landed at the Benin airport as a result of alleged bad weather.
Ibori was driven to his hometown at about 3.30pm in a convoy led by his long- standing political aide and the commissioner for environment in Delta State, John Nani, accompanied by his family members, political associates and friends.
Speaking on the return of the former governor, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly and current chairman of Sapele Local Government Council, Chief Ejaife Odebala said, “The great leader is back and we are happy. The politics and permutations of Delta State will change as he knows how to satisfy people and make them happy.”
A former governorship aspirant in the state, Chief Sunny Onuesoke also said, “I am overwhelmed by the arrival of the doyen of Nigerian politics and Delta State in particular. He is one man who plays politics for the benefit of his people. And the best politicians in the world are those who play politics of development. His return to Delta State is of great interest to Deltans.’’
Also speaking, a former secretary to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Andy Asavwota said, “Ibori is the man on ground, whether here or in limbo. He carries everybody along without discrimination. He is just like Jesus Christ because he is a man who does not want anyone to suffer.”
A member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Alphonsus Ojo said, “I feel very elated because he is not just a former governor, but our maximum political leader. His arrival will bring lots of changes in our psyche and social integration. His arrival will bring unity to the politics of Delta State.”
Legislators who spoke to journalists in Oghara, including Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Chief Solomon Ighrakpata and Chief Denis Omovie, said the return of the former governor would redefine the politics of the state.
Musicians were also on ground to welcome him.

• As president returns from vacation today
The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not against peaceful protests, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, said yesterday.
Akande said this in a reaction to the outrage trailing the alleged ban on the “anti-government” protest planned by Afro-Pop artiste, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface.
The vice president’s spokesman stated that Buhari’s administration would not prevent citizens from expressing themselves in peaceful protests as it was their fundamental right.
“This administration will not prevent Nigerians from expressing themselves in peaceful protests, it’s a fundamental right of the people,” Akande wrote.
Tuface had last week called for the support of his fans and colleagues, via his social media platforms, to join his march against the economic downturn. The protest is slated for tomorrow.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement on Friday said the police had credible intelligence reports that other interest groups were also planning a counter protest same days at the same places and that, this might lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, a source in the Presidency confirmed to our correspondent that barring any change of schedule, President Buhari would arrive Abuja today from his ten-day vacation in London.
President Buhari had on January 19 departed for the United Kingdom on “a short leave” during which he was expected to undergo a medical check-up.

Enugu-based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, said Friday night that the President Muhammadu Buhari is in a dilemma, even as he urged Nigerians to pray for his quick recovery.

Enugu-based Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, said Friday night that the President Muhammadu Buhari is in a dilemma, even as he urged Nigerians to pray for his quick recovery.
Mbaka also placed curses on all public officers in Nigeria who looted the treasury of the country, saying that they must all suffer for their actions.
Delivering a sermon at the first Adoration Crusade for the year, Mbaka said President Buhari as an individual means well for Nigeria, “but unfortunately, he surrounded himself with officials who have different agenda”.
Mbaka said: “Buhari has good intentions for the country, unfortunately, his subordinates have different agenda - they are interested in their pockets.”
He urged the president to demonstrate that he is not identifying with corrupt officials by “doing the needful”.
“Those wishing the president death don’t love this country. Children of God, what do people gain by wishing somebody death? We should pray for our leaders; that is what the Bible says,” he added.
Mbaka enjoined Nigerians not to lose hope, saying there is light at the end of the tunnel.