A London Court has today sentenced ex. Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, to 13 years in prison for money laundering and corruption
James Ibori, who had been standing trial before Judge Anthony Pitts of the Southwark Crown Court 9 in London for corruption and alleged theft of $250 million, plead guilty to 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
Ibori’s wife Theresa, sister Christine Ibori-Idie, and mistress Udoamaka Okoronkwo have all already been convicted for their part in the money-laundering.
One of the counts Ibori admitted related to a $37m (£23m) fraud pertaining to the sale of Delta State’s share in Nigerian privatised phone company company V Mobile.
The Southwark Crown Court was told the amount Ibori stole from the people of Delta state was “unquantified”.
The prosecution stated that as Delta State governor, Ibori racked up credit card bills of $200,000 (£126,000) per month on a luxury lifestyle, including running a fleet of armoured Range Rovers.
Ibori admitted one count of conspiracy to launder money, five of money laundering and one of obtaining a property transfer by deception over the theft of more than £25m while he was governor.
He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to make false instruments, and one count of money laundering linked to a $37m (£23.3m) share fraud surrounding the sale of shares in VMobile.
Prosecutor Sasha Wass told the court Ibori had accepted he was involved in “wide-scale theft, fraud and corruption when he was governor of Delta State.”
Ibori, who is not new to the UK’s prison, came to the UK in the 1980s and worked as a cashier at a Wickes DIY store in Neasden, north west London.
In 1991, he was convicted of stealing from the store, and in 1992, he was convicted to credit card fraud.
He then returned to Nigeria and began his climb up the ranks of the PDP, becoming delta state governor in 1999.
“James Ibori’s sentence sends a strong and important message to those who seek to use Britain as a refuge for their crimes.
“Corruption is a cancer in developing countries and the coalition government has a zero-tolerance approach to it.” International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said.
Reports say that he was trying to buy a plane for £12m at the time he was arrested.
13yrs for steeling 250m pounds? That sentence is not up to compare to what that heartless man did. Life in prison would have been the best.
It is a shame that the UK is the one adminstering justice on behalf of the people of Delta State and Nigeria. We all have a lesson in nation-building and morals to learn from this story
Easy, very easy for the thief. hear him laughing hahahahahahaa. Have they stop the sell of wrappers in the market. Is the prison built in heaven or guided by angels? These where some of the question the former governor of Bayelsa asked before turning into a woman. London, be ware of Niger/Delta governors.
Thank God they caught and try him in London where they can not bribe their way out. If they try him in Nigeria it would be like alamihesie who stole billions and stay for just 6 months with hero wellcome home, well Nigerians sorry what a shame with brutal and abrasive future
Thank God they caught and try him in London where they can not bribe their way out. If they try him in Nigeria it would be like alamihesie who stole billions and stay for just 6 months with hero wellcome home, well Nigerians sorry what a shame with brutal and aggressive future
He is one hundreds of such leaders in Nigeria that should be tried in ‘London’ because if they are tried here, they’ll always go free. Bravo London Court!
I think there is a need 4 the London court to focus their lights here in Nigeria. These idiots called our leaders here in Nigeria, are heartless and wicked. They are killing Nigerians everyday with their laundering activities. Wat a shame to our judicial system! Wat a shame to all our governors! Wat a shame to our representatives (both upper and lower houses) wat a shame to our ministers! Wat a shame to efcc! Wat a shame to the president that says he is fighting corruption but indirectly promoting corruption. To hell with all of them. I wish I culd just find my way out this nonsense dungeon called Nigeria. A land enriched with natural and human resources, but brutally damaged by wicked gorillas who calls themself our leaders. Am even ashame to say am a Nigerian. Nonsense.
Wat a shame dat an x convict will rule a state & no body could say a tin, until he stole all money belonging to Delta state & V-Mobile. He is a thief & should be kept in prison for Life. Wat a shame in our judiciary, efcc etc. Dis is a lesson to other pliticians who tink dey can squander our money wit there families in d Uk. Shame on Ibori, u wnt to buy jet. U go rot for jail.
The current state of this country beyonds individual’s explanation. Could u imagine, a man that was convicted while in uk 4 theft came back to his country and was voted into power of the so-called party premature death party (PDP). What do we expect from a trained poucher. This is the only country that support criminal and vote him into power. Thanks to london court that is helping to fight and wipe corruption in our country and shame to nigerian judicial system. As 4 the so-called thief james ibori, u deserve life imprisonment. Thanks to london court.
There’s no fire without smoke. This should be a lesson to ur political office holders.
Shamed 2 Nigeria judiciary,shamed 2 efcc,shamed 2 icpc.Dis is 2 tell nigerian govt dat they are not fighting corruption,they are just using those agencies/bodies 2 steal more fund.
Shamed 2 Nigeria judiciary,shamed 2 efcc,shamed 2 icpc,shamed 2 nigeria police they don’t know their responsilities.Dis is 2 tell nigerian govt dat they are not fighting corruption,they are just using those agencies/bodies 2 steal more fund.
The animal jungle call country Nigeria. The country that can not stand up for their right what we know how to do must is to rain course on them . More evil ,looting, aggressive, ritual, dooms,corruptions, insecurity, power failure, badroad, high cost of food and so on . As long as we fear to stand up and challenge the evil and wicked selfish leaders that loot our money. Which the send it to developed country where it will be safe . While the regard this country as unsafe and animal jungle where there is no rule of law. Oh Nigerians sorry