Ibinabo Fiberesima: “I Am Not An Ex-Convict”, Calls Out Emeka Ike

Ibinabo Fiberesima is defending herself against criticism of her tenure as AGN President.

In an interview with The Net Newspaper – out now, she speaks on the next election of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Ike, rumours that she is using the office for personal gains and shutting down reports that she is an ex-convict.

In 2006, Ibinabo was arrested for the murder of a medical doctor Giwa Suraj. She spent three months and three days in prison, but is still appealing the case.

On the election that led to her winning not being free and fair: “That’s false. The elections were held in Lagos and every state was properly represented, although they voted by proxy, they sent in their votes and it was collated here in Lagos by AGNEC in the presence of the press, so there was no form of malpractice in anyway.”

On if there are financial rewards to her position: “Here is the secret. These people who call themselves conference of Chairmen, they are first of all, one person. They make letter heads with AGN of their state and go to the government and companies to seek for fund. These are things my administration seeks to end, which is why I have become an enemy. I do not exclude Emeka Ike from my list. I contested against Emeka Rollas and Steve Iboh, but Emeka Ike kept parading himself as the president just to gain attention. They go from one place to another claiming to be president. They say I am an ex-convict and charged me to court before and after the election but I won both times.”

On if she was convicted: “Yes, I was. I am not denying it but I was convicted for a traffic offence. Even the Nigerian constitution states that it is not criminal or fraudulent so I can hold public offices.”

On the death of the man: “It was involuntary. I didn’t go out of my way to kill someone. It was an accident and could have been me or anybody else. People have had accidents after me. What is painful is that these people are bringing up the pain and sadness in this case because of their own selfish reasons. Do you think they care about the family and the torture they went through back then. They don’t even know the pain the family will go through now that this has come up again.”

On if she is an ex-convict: “No. I am not an ex-convict.”

On defining and ex-convict: “I was charged. I am in court and I am appealing”

On defending not being an ex-convict: “No, because I came out on bail to appeal and I am appealing because the judgement was wrong.”

On what made the judgement wrong: “Why was I sentenced? Anyway, I have my own issue. That is between me and the court. I am appealing my conviction.”

To read more, pick up the new issue of The Net Newspaper.