Nigerian Ex-Governor In A Race Against Time

Former Governor of Nigeriaâ€s oil rich state of Delta now has 30 days to appeal his imminent extradition from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to London, where he will face a charge of money laundering, credit card fraud and theft.

Ibori, who was arrested by Dubai police in May, working in collaboration with the UK Metropolitan Police, had earlier been granted bail but barred from leaving the Emirates. He was hoping to get some reprieve in the case against him, but the Dubai court of First Instance today ruled that he has a case to answer in the UK. It thus endorsed Iboriâ€s extradition to the United Kingdom to face charges.

UK authorities have prosecuted and jailed Iboriâ€s sister, Christine Ibie-Ibori, and his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo (nee Onuigbo) on those charges.

Ibori’s wife, Theresa Nkoyo, and one of his UK-based lawyers, Bhadresh Gohil are also currently facing trial in a London courtroom.

Femi Babafemi, spokesman of Nigeriaâ€s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in a text message to PM News lauded the Dubai verdict.â€â€ The Dubai court ruling is not unexpected in view of the weight of evidence provided by the EFCC to support the process filed by the UK Metroplotan police. This is also an affirmation of the fact that justice is universal and can be served anywhere”, he said.

Ibori was arrested in Dubai on May 13, 2010. The EFCC had accused him of stealing $290 million about N43.5 billion. Determined to escape the EFCC dragnet, Ibori got a court ruling from his state clearing him of all money laundering allegations.

But the ruling did not stop the EFCC from slamming fresh charges and Ibori deciding to flee. In April, his supporters attacked the police, who tried to arrest him in his home town. He, thereafter, left for Dubai where he was arrested by the UAE authorities.

In one of the affidavits filed, the UK police also urged the Dubai court to extradite Ibori to the UK to enable him face trial for converting V-Mobile shares belonging to Delta State Government, proceeds of which were also laundered through UK banks and also involved UK citizens.

In his defense, Ibori pleaded that his departure from Nigeria and subsequent arrest in Dubai was due to political persecution by President Goodluck Jonathan.

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