Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori today appeared at the Southwark Crown court in London where he is charged with offences related to money laundering and fraud in two cases.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales, sought an order for Mr. Ibori and Ellias Nemo Preko, an alleged associate of his, to have a joint trial by November. The court was conducting preliminary hearings into case numbers T20107446 and T20117192 which had Mr. Preko and Mr. Ibori as defendants.
Prosecutors argued that the 25-count charges brought against Mr. Ibori were in two parts; some in which Mr. Ibori is indicted and others in which both men are implicated.
"Mr. Ibori should be tried with Mr. Preko. Mr. Preko faces a trial fixed for November where only he is charged with money laundering of Mr. Ibori's proceeds of crime," said prosecutor, Sasha Wass. "Part two of Ibori's case arises out of the sale of shares in Nigeria."
Ibori's lawyer, Nick Purneel said his client had only received papers from the prosecution on the matter two days ago.
Presiding judge, Rivlin, who agreed with Mr. Ibori's lawyer's submission that he had been only recently served papers from the prosecution, pointed out that "a decision should not be taken today".
Mr Rivlin also told the prosecution he did not expect the case to be wrapped up in eight weeks.
"If this is going to be a joint trial, it may be up to ten weeks, that is what I am going to assume," he said.
Supporters' club
As early as two hours before proceedings, about 30 supporters of the former governor were already at the Southwark court wearing t-shirts branded with a photograph of his face and slogans that read: ‘Free Ibori' and ‘Deltans want Ibori back home.' The courtroom could not contain the large number of Nigerians who waved animatedly at Mr. Ibori as he entered and exited the courtroom.
Mr. Ibori's run-in with the law spanned four years, three continents and has so far resulted in the conviction of his wife and sister, as well as the trial of two business associates under the UK's Proceeds of Crime Act.
The London Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Unit opened investigations with a view to prosecuting Mr. Ibori in 2007, shortly after he left office.
In October 2007 a UK court froze assets allegedly belonging to him worth $35million.
Two years later, a court in Asaba cleared Mr. Ibori of 170 charges of corruption, saying there was no clear evidence to convict.
On May 13, 2010, the former governor was detained in Dubai, at the request of the Metropolitan Police Service on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.
On April 15, 2010, Mr. Ibori was extradited to the UK and arrived at London's Heathrow airport accompanied by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Extradition Unit.
Mr Rivlin has adjourned further hearing on the case until July 22, 2011. It is not compulsory that Mr. Ibori attends the proceedings.
"I will excuse his attendance if the defense team of Mr. Ibori thinks that it is not necessary," he said.
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