Former Nigerian Governor James Ibori‘s £100 Million Fortune at Risk: UK Government Demands Confiscation or Return to Jail.
A London court has been urged by a state prosecutor to seize over 100 million pounds ($129 million) from James Ibori, a Nigerian politician and former governor of Delta State, who was convicted of fraud and spent several years in a British prison.
James Ibori conviction and corruption case
In 2011, Ejes Gist News reported on Ibori’s transfer to the UK after he was arrested in Dubai by UAE security forces. Ibori’s plan to evade his impending trial in the UK was foiled by the London Metropolitan Police, leading to his arrival at Heathrow airport. Upon landing, he was taken into custody at a London police station and subsequently faced 25 charges related to money laundering and fraud.
Britain is known for its developed financial and legal services as well as a lucrative property market, making it a global hub for money laundering. However, it is relatively uncommon for the foreign kleptocrats it attracts to be prosecuted, making Ibori’s case an exception.
After more than a decade of legal battles and court delays, the prosecution is now close to concluding its efforts to confiscate the funds believed to be the proceeds of Ibori’s criminal activities.
James Ibori latest updates
According to reports from Reuters, Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court has already made factual findings regarding the funds. During a recent hearing, both sides presented arguments on how the confiscation figure should be calculated, considering the judge’s findings. The judge is expected to finalize and formally issue the confiscation order soon.
- James Ibori legal proceedings
Lead prosecution counsel, Jonathan Kinnear, argued that 101.5 million pounds should be confiscated from Ibori, and failure to comply would result in a sentence of five to ten years in prison. Ibori, who had already served half of his prison sentence in pre- and post-trial detention, returned to Nigeria in 2017 and did not attend the recent hearing. He plans to appeal against the confiscation order.
Despite his criminal record, Ibori remains influential and well-connected in Nigerian politics. President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May, has hosted Ibori twice at the presidential villa, along with other former governors.
The British government has pledged to return any money recovered from Ibori to Nigeria. In 2021, they already returned 4.2 million pounds that had been confiscated from Ibori’s ex-wife and sister, who also served jail time for assisting him in money laundering.
James Ibori jail terms
James Ibori, who served as Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for money laundering by a UK court in 2012. He fled Nigeria in April 2010 while facing corruption charges, leading to his apprehension in Dubai by Interpol. He was later extradited to the UK, where he faced allegations of massive corruption and money laundering.
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Ibori served only four years of the 13-year sentence before being released from jail in 2016. He was accused of embezzling over $78.5 million of public funds and allegedly played a role in financing the election of Umaru Yar’Adua as President of Nigeria in 2007.
Despite his time in prison, Ibori’s influence in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole remains significant, with individuals seeking elective offices consulting him for political support due to his extensive networks within the political landscape.
