Jubilation in Delta as James Ibori freed
The former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori was yesterday released following a court order that declined UK government’s request for an extension of his sentence.
The UK Home Office had earlier opposed Ibori’s release on the grounds that the process of the permanent forfeiture of his assets had yet to be completed.
According to the BBC, the UK Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, did not intend to deport Ibori to Nigeria until he handed over £18m of the “proceeds of crime” he alleged the ex-governor held.
The Federal Government of Nigeria however, has commenced the process of extraditing Ibori, from the United Kingdom
Recall that the 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 Delta State treasury.
The convicted former governor, who was the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007. was, however, yesterday allowed to go home on the condition that he would not travel out of the UK.
He is currently residing at his residence on Abbey Road, London, where he is under strict surveillance from where he will report to the UK Police weekly.
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