In his halcyon days as a top player in the nation’s oil and gas sector, Abu Jibia commanded a lot of respect. While he was envied by many in the industry, others who saw him as god-sent in their lives, loved him beyond description. He had so many things at his beck and call.
But for some inexplicable reason, he literally poked the law in the eyes in 2013. That was when he, in connivance with his cohorts, allegedly stored and distributed two barges and two petrol tankers filled with adulterated diesel.
As a result of this shameful deed, his vessel, MT Swordfish, which was said to be worth several millions of dollars, was seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Jibia was subsequently arraigned by the anti-graft agency before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful dealing in Automated Gas Oil, AGO and unlawful distribution of adulterated petroleum products, among others.
At the onset of the trial, he had wrongfully thought that he could escape justice owing to his influence in the society. Indeed, he was said to have boasted that he was untouchable. But four years after, the Delta State-born businessman is now ruing the day he ventured into the illicit business.
Today, he is said to be seriously broke, no thanks to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Spy Glass gathered that Ali has been abandoned by those who used to sing his praise. Worse still, the so-called godfathers who had reportedly assured him that he would be left off the hook are nowhere to be found, as they themselves have all run for cover since Buhari took over the reins of power in 2015.
