James Ibori Trouble Continues: Set To Face 170 Charges In Nigeria On Completion Of UK Jail Term

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is set to re-arrest and prosecute a former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who will return to the country after completion of his prison sentence in Britain on December 20, 2016. 

Barring last minute changes, the former governor will be arraigned on 170 charges bordering on money laundering and corruption. A Southwark Crown court had on April 17, 2012, sentenced Ibori to 13 years in prison after the ex-governor pleaded guilty to 10 counts of money laundering and stealing $250m from the treasury. Following his conviction in the UK, there were criticisms of the Nigerian justice system, especially an Asaba High Court which had struck out 170 charges which the EFCC had brought against Ibori.

However, the EFCC took the matter to the Appeal Court where a three-man panel of justices on May 15, 2014, at the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal ruled that the ex- governor, who is currently serving a 13-year jail term in a London prison, has a case to answer.

The appellate court panel, led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, ordered that the case be re-assigned to another judge of the Federal High Court for continuation of trial.

The EFCC subsequently said in a statement in 2014 that the ex-governor would be re-arrested upon the completion of his prison sentence. The EFCC statement read, “With this judgment, the coast is clear for Ibori to face trial in Nigeria upon the completion of his jail term in London.”

However, an EFCC source told the Punch that the legal department of the commission would have to look into the matter again. He said, “Indeed Ibori still has a case to answer but it will be reviewed and charges might be amended.” However, Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, also told Punch that there was no need prosecuting Ibori again.

Sagay, speaking in his personal capacity, said that Ibori had already been punished and prosecuting him again could amount to human rights abuse.