office, we were told that the Nigerian media would not pick up any stories on Ibori that are perceived to be negative. A few days after our story on Gov. Ibori was published, one of the sources from his office called to ask us how we were able to convince the Nigerian Tribune to carry the story. We did not know that the Tribune had carried the story and we were even more surprised at the Ibori camp's confidence that the Nigerian press would not pick up our story. "Well, let's put it this way, even journalists know on what side their bread is buttered and lbori is the gift that always gives," stated our source.

After talking to a few people working with major Nigerian newspapers, we went back to confront the source with our findings that there is no evidence available to us that shows Ibori paying editors to 'kill' our story on him. "Do you think journalists are better than other Nigerians? You must be naïve to think they were not paid by Ibori to kill the story. I know for a fact that at least ten million naira exchanged hands on Thursday night, after your story came out. You guys talk about corruption, but when it concerns journalists you look the other way. Is it by accident that Ibori and Atiku are friends? Don't you see how the Nigerian media treat these two?" he asked in anger. The truth is that we have yet to find any evidence of journalists and editors being bribed to 'kill' our stories and when find such information, we will publish them. Yes, the Iboris keep giving gifts.

Since we published the last story on Ibori, more information has come to light concerning the Ibori family, Whitehill Corp., and Okey Ilo. Within hours of publishing the Ibori story, we got documents that suggested that Haleway Properties, a company registered in Gibralter, is owned by Gov. James and Tessi Ibori. The documents we have indicate that on 4th December 2001, Tessi Ibori registered Haleway Trading Company. The registration number of the company is 04334204. The registered office of the company is 1st floor, Alpine House, Unit 2, Honeypot Lane, London NW9 9RX. On the 31st August of last year, the company was dissolved. Our investigation into the Ibori affair has shed more light on Tessi Ibori's partner in Whitehill Corp., Okey Ilo. Sources close to Tessi Ibori told Elendureports.com that Okey and Tessi's friendship has been going on for a while. Okey grew up in Enugu and graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Upon graduation he left the shores of Nigeria for Europe. He and Tessi may have met in London, but from all indications their relationship has been on-going as the Delta State First Lady is said to have paid for the renovation of Okey Ilo's family home in Enugu.

Hence, it came as no surprise to some people in the Delta Government House that Tessi's name showed up in Okey Ilo's company. Our sources said that Tessi's Personal Assistant, who is very much in the know of the Tessi-Okey relationship, has sometimes tried to distract some 'nosey' staffers at the Government House. Shortly before we went to press, Ebo, Tessi Ibori's personal assistant called us. She denied knowing Okey Ilo. However, their business deals in Warri, Asaba, London, and other places have not escaped the attention of some Government House insiders in Asaba. Gov. James Ibori may not be unaware of the Okey Ilo-Tessi relationship. A source, who should know, said this to us: "James Ibori has a lot of irons in the fire hence he may not have time to look into Tessi's issues, if you know what I mean. The house and Bentley you guys published is Tessi Ibori's London home. There is another home in West London, which was bought in 2002 for nine hundred thousand pounds (£900,000.00). That is where Ibori's other wife lives and if you guys gain access to the garage you will find a black 2002 Mercedes S 500." We are still working to confirm this information.

Tessi Ibori

Tessi Nkoyo Ibori is a woman who loves the limelight. Her web site is a testimony to her love of attention and public acclaim. On her web site are pictures of her philanthropy and love for sports. Her sports involvement includes the Nkoyo Ibori Table Tennis championship, Nkoyo Ibori under 20 National Sports championship, and Nkoyo Ibori Power Lifting championship. She also has the Delta Manna Foundation, which claims to work with kids and the less privileged members of Delta State. Elendureports.com made several attempts to get Tessi Ibori's reaction to this story. We left several telephone messages at her office. An unsigned email from her office directed Elendureports.com to write an application to interview Tessi Ibori. We were also directed to state in our application the purpose of the interview and then wait for processing.

Another Ibori woman that has come to our attention is Christie Omatie Ibori-Ibie, elder sister of Gov. James Ibori. Christie lives in London. There are suggestions that she is separated from her husband. But Christie, in a chat with Elendureports.com said she is not separated from her husband. Christie said her husband; a retired federal permanent secretary has always lived in Nigeria for over twenty years while she has lived in London. There were reports that she lived in a government allotted flat in Kilburn until her brother became the Governor of Delta State. She denies it. "What are you talking about? I lived in a big 7-bedroom house in Kilburn. The house is owned by my husband and it is now on rent. What qualifies me for a council flat in London?" she fumed. Although she refused to confirm it, Christie now lives in a house that cost about four hundred and eighty thousand pounds (£480,000.00). She has never held a job in London and describes herself as a "housewife, not a contractor." She tried to prevail on Elendureports.com not to include her name in this report. "I am hiding myself in this country. I don't want my name in the press. I'm not in government; please don't put my name in your report. I like my privacy and quiet life." Christie Omatie Ibori-Ibie's house is said to be a Mecca of sorts for Delta State government officials visiting London. They are expected to pay homage to her. And Christie's relationship with the Delta State Commissioner of Sports has caused some concern in government circles. Christie says there is nothing special about her relationship with the Commissioner, "He works in my brother's government and my relationship with Solomon is the same with other Delta Government officials."

A source, very close to Gov. James Ibori, told Elendureports.com, "Among the governors from Niger Delta, Ibori did more in terms of development than any other, but he has enriched himself and some of his friends, like Ighoyota Amori." According to the source, "Amori became so powerful to the point of influencing domestic decisions in Ibori's life." However, in 2003, Ibori tried to break with Amori. To achieve this he used people like Faith Igue, one of his Special Advisers to create some divisions in Asaba. Ighoyota Amori is the past Commissioner for Education in Delta State. Currently, he is the Political Adviser to Gov. Ibori. Amori is listed as a director of TONAM Ltd. He gave his address in the company documents as 17, Sanderling Court, Abinger Grove, SE 8 5TE. That address is believed to be a Council flat. He recently acquired a flat in the highbrow St. John's Wood. His current address in London is 64 Queens Grove, London, NW 8 6 ER. Amori was recently convicted by the Code of Conduct Bureau and banned from holding public office for ten years. He was also directed to reimburse the Delta State Government his salary from the time he started serving in the Delta Government. Amori had refused to declare his assets when he became a public official. Using convoluted reasoning, Amori claimed that he was not a public official when he served in the Ibori government. What was he afraid of? The code of conduct verdict may have dampened his governorship ambition.

Another influential member of the Ibori clan is Jame's half-brother, Emma Uduarhan. Although Ibori is Urhobo, Emma is Itsekiri. He is the current Secretary to Delta State Government. Ibori's game plan is to install his half-brother as the next Governor of Delta State. This will satisfy the clamor for power shift, as well as ensure that Ibori's interests are protected. On the other hand, Faith Igue wants to be the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State. There has been some resistance to the Ibori game plan, although we were told that the Ibori political machinery would prevail.

Additional reports by Eddy W.