After actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima,
lost her appeal in the case where she was found guilty of reckless
driving which led to the death of a Lagos medical personnel, Dr. Suraj
Giwa, Biola, his younger sister, tells gooo/ibinabo-lied-she-never-visited-our-mother-biola-giwa-adeyemi-sister-of-late-dr-suraj-giwa/”>Punch in this new interview about the relationship the Giwa family has had with Fiberesima since the accident happened in 2006.
lost her appeal in the case where she was found guilty of reckless
driving which led to the death of a Lagos medical personnel, Dr. Suraj
Giwa, Biola, his younger sister, tells gooo/ibinabo-lied-she-never-visited-our-mother-biola-giwa-adeyemi-sister-of-late-dr-suraj-giwa/”>Punch in this new interview about the relationship the Giwa family has had with Fiberesima since the accident happened in 2006.
Were you in Nigeria when your brother, Dr. Giwa died?
I have always lived in the US. I was
home when the accident happened. I have been living in the US for the
past 33 years. We have forgiven Ibinabo. We have moved on with our
lives. My mum is still alive. She cannot talk to anybody on this issue.
It is going to be a fresh wound. Some people are saying we have not
forgiven her. But that is not true. The Giwa family has moved on. It was
an accident and accidents do happen. When people go out every day, I
don’t think anybody sets his or her mind to go out and kill somebody.
home when the accident happened. I have been living in the US for the
past 33 years. We have forgiven Ibinabo. We have moved on with our
lives. My mum is still alive. She cannot talk to anybody on this issue.
It is going to be a fresh wound. Some people are saying we have not
forgiven her. But that is not true. The Giwa family has moved on. It was
an accident and accidents do happen. When people go out every day, I
don’t think anybody sets his or her mind to go out and kill somebody.
So why is Ibinabo’s own different?
It wouldn’t have been like this. It was
just the way she conducted herself after the accident. When the
accident happened, she fled the scene of the accident. She doesn’t have
good advisers. The state government had to find out who the owner of the
car she was driving was. That was when it was found out that the car
belonged to Daniel Wilson.
just the way she conducted herself after the accident. When the
accident happened, she fled the scene of the accident. She doesn’t have
good advisers. The state government had to find out who the owner of the
car she was driving was. That was when it was found out that the car
belonged to Daniel Wilson.
Didn’t you know who Ibinabo was then?
My first time of hearing that name was
the day of the accident. I had been in the US for over 20 years then and
there was no way I would have known anything about her then. I had
another brother who was also in the car when that accident happened. You
can imagine two people of the same mother and father in that car. They
didn’t try to help them out, they all ran and left the scene of the
accident.
the day of the accident. I had been in the US for over 20 years then and
there was no way I would have known anything about her then. I had
another brother who was also in the car when that accident happened. You
can imagine two people of the same mother and father in that car. They
didn’t try to help them out, they all ran and left the scene of the
accident.
But some eyewitnesses said Ibinabo didn’t flee but was rushed to the hospital…
If some other people were in the car
with her, what about those people? How come they didn’t try to help?
Somebody should have stayed at that scene to say he or she was with
Ibinabo. But nobody said anything. And how come the eyewitness is coming
out now to talk? Where was he all these years? I read he said my
brother was shouting, ‘I am a doctor, don’t hold me like that.’ But that
is a lie. Have they forgotten that there were other occupants in the
car?
with her, what about those people? How come they didn’t try to help?
Somebody should have stayed at that scene to say he or she was with
Ibinabo. But nobody said anything. And how come the eyewitness is coming
out now to talk? Where was he all these years? I read he said my
brother was shouting, ‘I am a doctor, don’t hold me like that.’ But that
is a lie. Have they forgotten that there were other occupants in the
car?
Did you meet your brother alive when you got to the scene?
No. The other car was right on top of his car. The other occupants were able to crawl out.
We learnt you said you would never forgive Ibinabo and you would make sure she was sent to jail…
Why would I want to say that? Is it not
God that forgives? I don’t even know her, so why would I say I wasn’t
going to forgive her? I didn’t know who she was. We weren’t even
bothered about her. My mother had two kids in that car. My brother’s
wife came from England and we were having a prayer session. That was
when I saw Ibinabo. Would I say anything like that during a prayer
session? We were all crying. One of them went to my husband and somehow,
it was arranged that they meet me. My other brother who was involved in
the accident works in the US and he had to go back. He asked me to stay
for a little while so that one of us would be with our mother. I had to
stay.
God that forgives? I don’t even know her, so why would I say I wasn’t
going to forgive her? I didn’t know who she was. We weren’t even
bothered about her. My mother had two kids in that car. My brother’s
wife came from England and we were having a prayer session. That was
when I saw Ibinabo. Would I say anything like that during a prayer
session? We were all crying. One of them went to my husband and somehow,
it was arranged that they meet me. My other brother who was involved in
the accident works in the US and he had to go back. He asked me to stay
for a little while so that one of us would be with our mother. I had to
stay.
But did you at any point have a one on one discussion with her?
God is my witness, my husband was also
there, she got out of the car and she came to me. The people she came
with were just somewhere there, they didn’t even come close. I asked her
what she wanted and she said she had come to plead so that the charges
would be dropped. I told her it wasn’t between us and her but between
the state government and her. But I told her I would rather give her an
advice that would work for her. I told her if I were in her shoes, I
would apologise publicly to the masses and also to the family. I advised
her to throw herself to the mercy of the court. If she had done that,
people would know she was remorseful and they would know she had indeed
apologised. But she said she wasn’t going to do that. She said it would
damage her career. Believe me, if not that so many eyes were on us, I
would have kicked her for saying that. My husband was beside me when she
said that. He even looked at me. I couldn’t believe it. What? Dr. Giwa
was the head of physical rehabilitation medicine in LASUTH. He was the
only one that had that credential then in Lagos State. Dr. Giwa was
valuable to the state. He had helped a lot of people out. We have
forgiven her; my mother has moved on, Dr. Giwa’s kids have moved on.
there, she got out of the car and she came to me. The people she came
with were just somewhere there, they didn’t even come close. I asked her
what she wanted and she said she had come to plead so that the charges
would be dropped. I told her it wasn’t between us and her but between
the state government and her. But I told her I would rather give her an
advice that would work for her. I told her if I were in her shoes, I
would apologise publicly to the masses and also to the family. I advised
her to throw herself to the mercy of the court. If she had done that,
people would know she was remorseful and they would know she had indeed
apologised. But she said she wasn’t going to do that. She said it would
damage her career. Believe me, if not that so many eyes were on us, I
would have kicked her for saying that. My husband was beside me when she
said that. He even looked at me. I couldn’t believe it. What? Dr. Giwa
was the head of physical rehabilitation medicine in LASUTH. He was the
only one that had that credential then in Lagos State. Dr. Giwa was
valuable to the state. He had helped a lot of people out. We have
forgiven her; my mother has moved on, Dr. Giwa’s kids have moved on.
Dr Giwa |
Weren’t you offered money as a form of compensation?
What money? We don’t need her money! We are all good! Dr. Giwa wasn’t the only breadwinner. Every one of us is doing very well.
But we learnt you threatened to kill her…
I learnt they said I said I would go and
kill her. But why would I do that? I hadn’t ever heard of her name
before then. I had never seen her before. If I had wanted to kill her, I
would have killed a lot of people since I didn’t know the identity of
the person I wanted to kill. I wasn’t going to do anything to her.
kill her. But why would I do that? I hadn’t ever heard of her name
before then. I had never seen her before. If I had wanted to kill her, I
would have killed a lot of people since I didn’t know the identity of
the person I wanted to kill. I wasn’t going to do anything to her.
Was it that what you needed
from Ibinabo was public apology because we learnt she kept apologising
to the family and nobody wanted to listen to her…
from Ibinabo was public apology because we learnt she kept apologising
to the family and nobody wanted to listen to her…
Did she apologise publicly? I just
wanted her to apologise publicly so that people would know she was
remorseful. But I don’t think it was a wrong advice I gave her. She
couldn’t apologise publicly back then but now, she wants Nigerians to
pray for her. But I say it again; it is not me versus Ibinabo. It is not
Giwa’s family versus Ibinabo. I am married and I am still with my
husband with three wonderful children. My kids are all grown. What do I
need from her? We are not in the same age group. I am older than her for
God’s sake. I am in my 50s and I am the youngest of my mother’s kids. I
am even good because if you talk to my other sisters, they would be
ranting. She couldn’t apologise publicly because she put her career
ahead of her.
wanted her to apologise publicly so that people would know she was
remorseful. But I don’t think it was a wrong advice I gave her. She
couldn’t apologise publicly back then but now, she wants Nigerians to
pray for her. But I say it again; it is not me versus Ibinabo. It is not
Giwa’s family versus Ibinabo. I am married and I am still with my
husband with three wonderful children. My kids are all grown. What do I
need from her? We are not in the same age group. I am older than her for
God’s sake. I am in my 50s and I am the youngest of my mother’s kids. I
am even good because if you talk to my other sisters, they would be
ranting. She couldn’t apologise publicly because she put her career
ahead of her.
But Ibinabo reportedly said she had been visiting your family in Nigeria here but she was warned not to come close again…
But that is a lie! How could she say
that? My mother is in Lagos. Ibinabo has never visited my mother! My
mother does not even remember her name. She doesn’t know if Ibinabo is
white or black. Why would we warn her from visiting my mother? I read
that story in the papers and I had to ask myself what is wrong with her.
If she truly said that, then she lied. She doesn’t have good advisers, I
must tell you that again.
that? My mother is in Lagos. Ibinabo has never visited my mother! My
mother does not even remember her name. She doesn’t know if Ibinabo is
white or black. Why would we warn her from visiting my mother? I read
that story in the papers and I had to ask myself what is wrong with her.
If she truly said that, then she lied. She doesn’t have good advisers, I
must tell you that again.
Some people said you are jealous of her…
How can I be jealous of Ibinabo? I am
married and I have three wonderful kids with the same man. I am very
successful. I am an accountant. It can be annoying when you hear some
things. We had the memorial service for my brother some weeks ago…
married and I have three wonderful kids with the same man. I am very
successful. I am an accountant. It can be annoying when you hear some
things. We had the memorial service for my brother some weeks ago…
Was it before the judgement?
Oh yes! The case had dragged on for so
long. The magistrate court had found Ibinabo guilty. The DPP department
took over the case; we weren’t the ones that took her to court. It has
never been us. They found her guilty and sentenced her to prison for
five years with an option of N100, 000 fine. So who wouldn’t look for
N100, 000 to pay? Are you saying the life of the doctor was worth just
N100, 000? The state went to high court and the high court found her
guilty and said the N100, 000 should be returned to Ibinabo. The court
said there shouldn’t have been an option of fine. Ibinabo went to
appeal. It is all about her ego. The appeal court dragged on so long.
Believe me, I never knew the case was still on.
long. The magistrate court had found Ibinabo guilty. The DPP department
took over the case; we weren’t the ones that took her to court. It has
never been us. They found her guilty and sentenced her to prison for
five years with an option of N100, 000 fine. So who wouldn’t look for
N100, 000 to pay? Are you saying the life of the doctor was worth just
N100, 000? The state went to high court and the high court found her
guilty and said the N100, 000 should be returned to Ibinabo. The court
said there shouldn’t have been an option of fine. Ibinabo went to
appeal. It is all about her ego. The appeal court dragged on so long.
Believe me, I never knew the case was still on.
Are you saying you people weren’t following the case all along?
No. People just told me about this
judgement last Friday. Some people called me from Nigeria and I was even
amazed that the case was still on. I have already moved on with my
life. I do come to Nigeria and I spend some time but it has never been
because of this case.
judgement last Friday. Some people called me from Nigeria and I was even
amazed that the case was still on. I have already moved on with my
life. I do come to Nigeria and I spend some time but it has never been
because of this case.
What if she eventually apologises publicly?
I keep saying this; it is not between us
and her. I don’t have anything to say on this case. It doesn’t matter
to me now if she does or not. If she does it now and the government
decides she has been remorseful and pardons her, so be it. I don’t know
who the judge is, I don’t know if he is a man or woman. I don’t even
know who is handling the case. If she apologises now, it wouldn’t have
anything to do with me. It is a broken wound. I only gave her advice
then and she didn’t take it. I can’t even recognise most of these actors
and actresses in Nigeria. I hardly watch Nigerian movies; I don’t have
the time because I am very busy.
and her. I don’t have anything to say on this case. It doesn’t matter
to me now if she does or not. If she does it now and the government
decides she has been remorseful and pardons her, so be it. I don’t know
who the judge is, I don’t know if he is a man or woman. I don’t even
know who is handling the case. If she apologises now, it wouldn’t have
anything to do with me. It is a broken wound. I only gave her advice
then and she didn’t take it. I can’t even recognise most of these actors
and actresses in Nigeria. I hardly watch Nigerian movies; I don’t have
the time because I am very busy.
We learnt you were excited about the judgement…
No. I wasn’t when I heard it. I was not
excited and I was not sorrowful either. I just said we needed to thank
the justice system because the case was delayed for so long. If we don’t
thank them, they will not put people to order, they would think they
could do anything and get away with it. Accidents happen and that is why
it is called accident. But your attitude towards it is what matters
most. Some people have accidents less than this and you would see how
remorseful they would be.
excited and I was not sorrowful either. I just said we needed to thank
the justice system because the case was delayed for so long. If we don’t
thank them, they will not put people to order, they would think they
could do anything and get away with it. Accidents happen and that is why
it is called accident. But your attitude towards it is what matters
most. Some people have accidents less than this and you would see how
remorseful they would be.
But couldn’t the Giwa’s family have asked the state to drop the case?
No. It is not done that way. It is not
done like that in the US where we live. I wouldn’t know if it is done
like that in Nigeria. You don’t even tamper with the judicial system. If
you are taken to court, then you are taken to court. Justice is in the
hand of God.
done like that in the US where we live. I wouldn’t know if it is done
like that in Nigeria. You don’t even tamper with the judicial system. If
you are taken to court, then you are taken to court. Justice is in the
hand of God.
How did your mother take his death?
It wasn’t easy. She didn’t have High
Blood Pressure before but she developed it after that incident. We had
to rally around her. But she also believed God has given and God has
taken. She was able to manage and we helped her.
Blood Pressure before but she developed it after that incident. We had
to rally around her. But she also believed God has given and God has
taken. She was able to manage and we helped her.
Don’t you think Ibinabo has suffered enough? She was in jail at some point…
She was in jail for about three weeks
and she was bailed out. Nobody is above the law. I always behave myself.
I always pray to God that I don’t get involved in any kind of accident.
I always beg God not to take me through accident. I don’t want to hit
anybody and I don’t want anybody to hit me. I can’t go to the government
and ask them to drop the case.
and she was bailed out. Nobody is above the law. I always behave myself.
I always pray to God that I don’t get involved in any kind of accident.
I always beg God not to take me through accident. I don’t want to hit
anybody and I don’t want anybody to hit me. I can’t go to the government
and ask them to drop the case.
Are you still in touch with the doctor’s family?
Of course, they are my family. One just came here. We communicate all the time. We travel to the UK to see them too.