| Two-time former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, will have a date with history on October 17. That is the day that a United Arab Emirates, UAE, court will rule on whether or not he should be extradited to the United Kingdom to face trial for allegedly looting the treasury of Delta State and laundering same through several British banks, using lawyers, relatives and close associates. According to an on-line report, some UAE court officials were quoted as saying that the much-awaited Dubai-London extradition ruling regarding Ibori would be concluded next Sunday. The judge, reportedly concluded the hearing of the case last Sunday and reserved judgment till October 17. “The case took so long because the UK Metropolitan police had to translate an avalanche of evidence and affidavits to make a solid case about Ibori’s culpability in money laundering and thus make a strong application for Ibori’s extradition to London,” the report said. The UK police also made references to the successful trial of two female associates of Ibori in London, which has so far led to the jailing of Ibori’s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori and his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, for money laundering. Both women are serving prison terms at the all-female Holloway prison in London. Ibori was arrested in Dubai on May 13, 2010. The Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC accused him of stealing $290 million about N43.5 billion. Last April, his supporters attacked the police, who tried to arrest him in his home town. He, thereafter, left for Dubai where he was arrested by the UAE authorities. The UK police also cited the ongoing trial of Ibori’s wife, Theresa Nkoyo and his UK lawyer, Bhadresh Gohil and pointed out that the case was progressing well before the Southwark Crown Court and was likely to lead to the conviction of Ibori’s wife and his lawyer on the basis of the evidence before that court. In one of the affidavits filed, the UK police also urged the Dubai court to extradite Ibori to the UK to enable him face trial for converting V-Mobile shares belonging to Delta State Government, proceeds of which were also laundered through UK banks and also involved UK citizens. In his defense, Ibori pleaded that his departure from Nigeria and subsequent arrest in Dubai was due to political persecution by President Goodluck Jonathan. His strongest defense was the ruling given by Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court in Asaba, which dismissed all charges of money laundering against him. |
Oct122010