Judge Pitts of the SouthCrown Court, UK has sentenced the former
governor of Delta state, James Ibori to a 13 year jail term for fraud
and embezzlmeent whilst serving as the governor of the state.
His sentence was announced yesterday afternoon by Judge Anthony Pitts.
Earlier on, his lawyers had tried to make a case for a lenient sentencing. His lawyer, Nicholas Pernell
blamed Badrash Gohil and former Akwa Ibom state governor, Victor Attah,
for the V-Mobile scam saying they were the architects of the fraud. He
further credited his client with every development in Nigeria, and
especially in Delta state, from the banking reforms, to peace in the
Niger Delta, education, and building of low-cost housing. Also in his
defence, he stated that his client, James Ibori, played a part in
supporting British industry even before he became governor. As evidence,
he cited a letter from British Airways, thanking Ibori for restoring
direct flights between Nigeria and Britain.
Mr. Pernell, in his conclusion, asked the Judge to consider the
pressure that his client has been under since investigatons began in
2005, and also the accused’s children who now have both their parents in
custody before passing his sentence.
Also in his defence, veteran sportsman, John Fashanu, made
an appearance in the court today. He testified saying the former
governor achieved a lot in sports, and was instrumental to the end of
militancy in the state. He told the court that Ibori built nine
mini-sports stadia and three Olympic-sized stadia in Delta state and
also built the first shooting range in Nigeria.
The court went for a recess at about 12.30pm and reconvened at 2.25pm after which his sentence was read.
James Ibori had earlier pleaded guilty to a number of corruption and
money laundering charges against him put at about $250million before
Judge Pitts. This includes the V-Mobile and Bombardaire scams which
amounted to $50million. Ibori and Victor Attah, former Akwa Ibom state
governor also formed a phantom company called ADF to siphon
US$37.5million from Delta and Akwa Ibom states’ shares in V-Mobile. He
was accused of embezzling these funds during his tenure as governor and
using most of them to live a lavish lifestyle and acquire property and
assets around the world.
Judge Pitts said that the sentencing will not be the end of the matter as his property will also be confiscated.
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Vanities upon vanities all is vanities,it is a pity just see what greed has done to him.the odidigbogbo of Africa has been dealth a lesson.what is the meaning of accquiring all the wealth.LET'S US TO BE CONTENDED.
ReplyDeleteThis should also serve as a deter ant to those serving governors, most especially, the present governor of Delta state Dr.Emmanuel Uduaghan.
ReplyDelete....so John Fashanu too is a member?
ReplyDeleteFrom grace 2 grass , from being a personality to a prisoner , from govt house to prison yard . From siren decorated vehicles to black Maria .from bein guarded by mopol to bein guarded by prison warden . Chai ......... Ogene bikooo !!!!
ReplyDeleteI believe this will teach others a lesson
ReplyDeleteThe court is SOUTHWARK CROWN COURT.
ReplyDeleteBefore posting your reports on the internet, please ensure that the information is accurate for the sake of the local Nigerian readers.
Many days for the thief, one day for the owner. James Ibori shame on you.
ReplyDeleteDimeji Bankole,Peter Odili, Gbenga Daniel, Ohakim, Orji Uzor Kalu and others were discharged and acquitted for the charges leveled against them on corruption, money laundry and others. Nigeria is in trouble; judicial system in Nigeria is rubbish with the bunch of idiotic lawyers and judges we have in Nigeria. No wonder why Federal government wanted to persecute Ayo Salami and he was sent quitting untimely as a result of his sincerity. Outside the soil of Nigeria everybody hates you simply because they don’t here good news about your country and that was one of the reasons why pundit Dr. Okonjo Iweala was denied the post of World Bank President. In as much as PDP remains in power we will continue suffering.
ReplyDeleteWhat of his Nigerian lawyer..former Artful Dodger
ReplyDelete(fake Attorney General) for Y'dua Kaase Aadoaka?
Shame on him, Shame on the Nigerian System which allowed
this CRIMINAL to use state apparatus to turn the
odds against a well meaning Police Officer Ribadu.Shame on the Nigerian Law Commssion which
meeted out a token punishment on a CRIMINAL SAN who used his position as AGN to undermine the judiciary.
i pity james ibori, he is guilty but the humiliation is too much. i still wonder why he was singled out among many corrupt Governors in Nigeria both then and now.
ReplyDeleteThere will always be time of judgement, the present governor of Delta state time will surely come. He is really worse than Ibori. You can count some developmental project of repute to Ibori administration, but this present one nothing to show for it. He keep using peoples name to develop state money to develop mansions around. I wonder weither people learn for mistake or evil other did.
ReplyDeleteCorruption has eaten deep into the entire african system, not just nigeria. In this continent, people in leadership position see their office as an avenue to embezzle so much funds and enrich themselves in the process at the detriment of the poor masses. This should serve as a warning signal to everyone in leadership position not just in nigeria but all over africa.
ReplyDeleteA Clear Win of last Gorvernorship Election in Delta State was Bastardized by so call Nigerian Courts. The Person of Great Ogboru was hated through no fault of his but Clear hatred just beacause of Tribal Issues and Zeal of Share of Money Madness in Delta State. Right from when Ibori Handed Power to Oduanghan, Nothing has been done to show for being the Governor of the State. Look at what is happening in other States. Shame on you Oduaghan. You will sure pay Dearly for all the Evil you have melted on Deltans. Don't forget that there is nothing hidden under the Sun and Nothing is New before God. The Axe of Fire will surely Visit You.
ReplyDeleteserves him right... l hope d rest of his kind (ex-governors) get sentenced too!
ReplyDeleteYou, the present Governor, Senator, Member, house of Rep. Ministers and others in public offices, there is something you must have learnt from James Ibori present situation. It is left for you to either change and do good work and be free after your service in office or remain in your weakness and face the same music with convict James Ibori.
ReplyDelete