Main Reason Ex Delta Gov, James Ibori Is Facing Fresh 10-Year Jail Term

A court in the United Kingdom (UK) is set to order the seizure of more than 100 million pounds ($129 million) from former Governor, James Ibori of Delta State who was convicted of fraud and money laundering in Britain in 2012, according to Reuters.

Recall that Ibori returned to Nigeria six years ago after serving a prison sentence he served for money laundering and fraud charges.

The British authorities had indicted the former governor for stealing public funds and laundering them through UK banks and properties. However, the trial on confiscation proceedings against Ibori began in February 2017.

Factual findings regarding the amount of money linked to Ibori were made by Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court.

During a hearing on Thursday, the prosecution and the defence presented their arguments on how the confiscation figure should be calculated based on the judge’s findings.

Ibori, who returned to Nigeria in 2017 after serving half his sentence, did not attend the hearing.

The prosecution lawyer, Jonathan Kinnear, told the court that the total amount that should be confiscated from Ibori was £101.5 million.

Kinnear told the court that if he fails to pay, he should face an additional prison term of five and ten years.

The judge is expected to conclude and issue an order on Friday or soon after.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that Super Falcons midfielder, Deborah Abiodun has apologised to Nigerians after she was given a red card that sent her off the pitch for a dangerous foul in the team’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign against Canada on Friday.