James Ibori loses appeal against conviction in British court
James Ibori’s attempt to overturn his conviction status has been declined by the British court in London on Wednesday.
Ibori had served half of his 13-year jail sentence and only regained freedom few months ago, after he was found guilty of fraud and money laundering amounting to at least $66 million.
The former Delta State governor had approached the court to appeal against his conviction, with claims that one of the London police officers who investigated him was himself corrupt. Ibori claimed that the prosecution covered the officer’s corrupt practices up during his trial.
Judges ruling on the appeal said Ibori’s case was not valid as the officer’s alleged corruption was unproven and that he may have instigated it even if it happened.
British prosecutors, after the ruling, will now resume efforts to return tens of millions of dollars’ worth of frozen assets to Nigeria.
