According to a Reuters report, a state prosecutor has requested a London court to order the confiscation of more than 100 million pounds ($129 million) from James Ibori, a Nigerian politician and former Delta State governor. Ibori had previously been convicted of fraud in the United Kingdom and spent several years in a British prison.
Ibori was extradited from Dubai to London in 2011, where he faced charges related to laundering a “corruptly acquired fortune.” In 2012, he pleaded guilty to ten counts of fraud and money laundering and received a 13-year jail sentence, a significant outcome in the fight against corruption, as hailed by Britain.
The UK is known for its advanced financial and legal services and lucrative property market, making it an attractive destination for money laundering. However, it is uncommon for foreign kleptocrats to face prosecution in the UK, making Ibori's case stand out.
After more than a decade of legal proceedings and court delays, efforts to confiscate funds believed to be the proceeds of Ibori's fraudulent activities are now nearing conclusion. Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court has made factual findings concerning the funds, and both sides presented arguments on how the confiscation figure should be calculated based on the judge's findings.
The final order is expected to be issued by the judge on Friday or shortly afterward. The prosecution counsel has stated that the total amount to be confiscated from Ibori is 101.5 million pounds, and if he fails to pay, he could face a sentence of five to ten years in prison.
Ibori returned to Nigeria in 2017 after serving half of his prison sentence, and he did not attend the recent court hearing. He plans to appeal against the confiscation order.
Despite his conviction, Ibori remains influential and well-connected in Nigerian politics. President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May, has hosted Ibori at the presidential villa on two occasions, along with other former governors.
The UK government has pledged to return any recovered money from Ibori to Nigeria. In 2021, it returned 4.2 million pounds that were confiscated from Ibori's ex-wife and sister, both of whom served jail time for their involvement in helping him launder money. (Note: 1 pound equals 1.29 dollars).
