Jailed Ibori sacks Daily Independent newspaper management from prison

Jailed former Delta State governor, James Ibori, has ordered the management of his newspaper, Independent Newspapers Limited, INL, to proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect.

The order from Mr. Ibori, who is currently serving his jail term in a London prison, was handed top editorial and senior management and operations staff of the embattled newspaper by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Lawan Gambo, during an emergency management meeting on Saturday, December 18.

Mr. Gambo, who presided over the brief meeting, held at the corporate headquarters of the newspaper in the Ogba area of Lagos reportedly told some top editors and management to go home till January 31, Premium Times learnt.

The board chair also indicated that only those of them relevant to the future of the company would be recalled. Those not recalled, he said, would be disengaged and communicated.

Those affected in the purge are Managing Editor, Akpandem James; General Editor, Daily, Ikechukwu Amaechi; General Editor, Online, Oguwike Nwachukwu; General Editor, Features, Emeka Duru, and former Saturday Editor, Olumide Iyanda

Saturday Editor, Charles, Okogene; Daily Editor, Rotimi Durojaiye; and Sunday Editor, Habib Aruna, who were also suspended, were reportedly recalled to continue to produce the paper while replacements are sought for them.

Also affected is the head of Accounts department, Eugene Onyeji, and other top managers in the Administration, Advertising and Operations Sections.

Under the new order, Ted Iwere, the former Managing Editor/Chief Executive Officer, who left in 2009 in controversial circumstances, was named interim coordinator, and is overseeing the reorganization of the media house.

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