Six members of the Ibru clan have appealed to a matriarch in the family, Maiden Alex-Ibru, to settle the lingering dispute between her and Goodie Ibru.
In an open letter addressed to Mrs. Alex-Ibru, the nephews and nieces accused the Guardian Newspapers publisher and her son, Toke, of masterminding a “relentless investigation” of Mr. Ibru by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“Aunty, we are aware, sadly, that this unfortunate dispute arose from multiple grievances that could have been lovingly resolved within the family without any external interference,” they said.
The letter, dated October 19, was signed by the children of Michael Ibru, Felix Ibru, Bernard Ibru, Grace Ibru, Goodie Ibru, and Mabel Okolie (née Ibru).
The Ibru family has been engaged in a protracted legal battle over the ownership and running of some of their companies.
Since 2011, at least 10 suits have been instituted and are still pending before federal and state courts across the country.
In September last year, the EFCC filed a notice of discontinuance in a matter between the Nigerian government and Mr. Ibru, Associated Ventures International Limited, IHL Services Ltd, and Clearview Investment Ltd.
Mr. Ibru and the companies had earlier been accused of conspiring to steal N867.7 million property of Ikeja Hotels Plc between January and December 2010
In their open letter, the Ibru children said that the EFCC’s notice of discontinuance on the suit was opposed “in a belligerent attitude”.
“Then, dramatically, the EFCC sought to withdraw the Notice of Discontinuance and pursue criminal charges, that in the main centre on this family misunderstanding and boardroom politics.
“This is at great cost to the Ibru family and other honest, hardworking Nigerians,” they said.
On October 12, the EFCC declared Mr. Ibru wanted for alleged capital market fraud, money laundering, and diversion of funds on the same matter to had filed a discontinuance notice last year.
“Aunty, the Ibrus may mean many things to many people, but not criminality, not fraud.
“We had thought that both parties had legitimate issues. We had thought in line with our communal wisdom that we would not allow lizards to enter our home through cracks in our walls.
“We had thought that reason would prevail. We had looked forward to the successful outcome of the peace moves initiated to bring all parties together, and right the wrongs, as we look forward to the future with good cheer.
“Alas, it appears our hopes have been in vain,” they said.
The open letter accused Mrs. Alex-Ibru of having a hand in The Guardian newspaper’s ignoring of the Ibru family’s rejoinder after the EFCC had declared Mr. Ibru wanted; despite publishing the Commission’s Public Notice on its front page.
It also appealed to her to withdraw her petitions against Mr. Ibru before the EFCC, as the family prepares for an “intensive and wholesome” solution to the feuds after the funeral rites of Michael Ibru.
“You have accused Uncle Goodie of appropriating for himself the wealth of our Uncle Alex, your late husband; but nothing could be further from the truth. Uncle Goodie is a gentleman, who covered your husband’s back as Uncle Alex also did for him; and as, in fact, all the Ibru siblings have been known to do for one another.
“Uncle Goodie is a good man, who remains the last man standing of our first generation of Ibru brothers; after the passages this year of our older uncles, Felix and Michael.
“Before the bridge is broken irreparably, we urge you to please seek amicable settlements in all cases you instituted directly or indirectly against Uncle Goodie,” they said
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